Odisha braces for two days of heavy rain and storms as depression intensifies

Bhubaneswar, May 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a high-alert warning after a deep depression formed over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts. The system, which intensified rapidly, is moving northwards at a speed of 20 kmph.

As of Thursday midday, the deep depression was positioned approximately 60 km southeast of Sagar Island, 110 km east-southeast of Digha, 160 km east of Balasore, 180 km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh), and 180 km west of Khepupara (Bangladesh). The system is expected to continue its northward movement and cross the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by Thursday afternoon.

Under its influence, Odisha is likely to witness widespread rainfall and stormy weather over the next two days. The IMD has issued an orange warning for May 29 for Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, and Jagatsinghpur, predicting thunderstorms with lightning, wind speeds up to 60 kmph, and very heavy rainfall.

A yellow warning has been issued for multiple other districts for May 29 and May 30, forecasting thunderstorms, gusty winds, and heavy showers.