Bhubaneswar : Under the influence of the deep depression, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in the districts of southern Odisha. The deep depression is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh coast on the night of the 23rd (Wednesday), with its maximum impact likely to be felt in southern Odisha. As its movement will remain slow, heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur in Odisha. The next 48 hours are being described as dangerous for Odisha. During this period, wind speeds may reach 55 to 65 km per hour. In view of the rain and wind, holidays have been declared for schools and Anganwadi centres in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Balangir, Khordha, Nayagarh and Kalahandi districts. In Kalahandi district, a one-day holiday has been declared for schools and Anganwadi centres, while in the remaining districts, a two-day holiday has been declared. However, teachers and staff have been instructed to remain present at schools. The depression formed over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal has been moving westward at a speed of 8 km per hour during the past 8 hours. It is centred about 180 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, 180 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 21 km south of Puri and 270 km east of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is likely to move west-northwestward and intensify into a deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours. Moving continuously west-northwestward, it is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast as a deep depression in the area between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur on the night of the 23rd.
Regarding rainfall caused by the deep depression, IMD DG Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the deep depression will move west-northwestward and cross the coast on the night of the 23rd. It is likely to make landfall on the north Andhra Pradesh coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur. However, its impact will be greater in southern Odisha. After making landfall, its movement will slow down. Instead of moving west-northwestward, it will move north-northwestward towards Chhattisgarh through the districts of Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Malkangiri. As its speed will decrease while approaching the coast, the deep depression will remain over the southern Odisha coast for a longer period. As a result, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely. Extremely heavy rainfall has also been forecast at some places. By the 24th, rainfall will decrease along the coast, while heavy to very heavy rain will occur in the interior. When the deep depression makes landfall, wind speeds will be 55 to 65 km per hour. There is a possibility of landslides and mudslides in hilly areas. He said that branches of small trees may break, and paddy and other crops may be damaged.