Odisha is bracing up for heavy to very heavy rainfalls in the next week, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting the formation of a low-pressure area on Monday over the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Andaman Sea. The system is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a depression around Wednesday.
The IMD has predicted heavy rainfalls in Odisha from 23rd to 25th of this month. It has also predicted very heavy rainfalls with wind speeds up to 60 km per hour in many parts of Odisha on the 24th of this month. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during the period, as the sea conditions will be very rough along and off the Odisha coast.
Though many weather models have predicted a possible cyclone over the Bay of Bengal next week, IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra today said that a clearer picture will emerge only after the formation of low pressure.
He said there is no consensus among the weather models, and IMD has not made any prediction on whether the system will develop into a cyclonic storm. He, however, said the system is likely to have an impact on coastal areas of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.