Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic storm ‘PHETHAI’ over southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger heavy rainfall in several districts of Odisha.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely to occur over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada and Koraput today.

Similarly, isolated heavy rainfall is likely to take place in the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Sundargarh tomorrow

Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely along & off South Odisha coast on 17th December. Fishermen have been advised not to venture along & off south Odisha coast on the day.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kakinada during 17th December afternoon, a bulletin of the India Meteorological Department issued at 11 am today said.

However, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, it is likely to weaken slightly before landfall and cross coast as a cyclonic storm, it added.