Depression over Bay of Bengal likely by May 24; Odisha govt puts district collectors on alert

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has put all district administrations on alert in the wake of IMD prediction regarding the possible formation of a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal by May 22.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu today wrote a letter in this regard to the district collectors.

As per the IMD prediction, the low pressure area is likely to move northeastwards and concentrate into a depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by the early hours of May 24.

Under the impact of the system, several districts of Odisha may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall for two days starting May 24, said the IMD.

As per the IMD prediction, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara on May 24. Besides, heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Cuttack on the day.

Similarly, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj on May 25. Moreover, heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jajpur and Keonjhar on the day.

Some districts of Odisha may witness gusty winds reaching up to the speed of 70 km per hour during the two days, said the IMD.

In his letter, the SRC asked the collectors to closely watch and monitor the system. Besides, the collectors have been asked to make necessary arrangements to meet any eventuality.