Bhubaneswar: The forecasted depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify further, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said today.

However, the agency was yet to clarify whether the predicted system will become a cyclonic storm or not.

"A low pressure area is very likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal by 22nd May. It is very likely to move northeastwards and concentrate into a depression over central parts of the Bay of Bengal by the morning of 24th May. It would continue to move northeastwards and intensify further thereafter," the IMD said.

Wind warning: Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, is likely over the south Bay of Bengal on 21st and 22nd May. It would gradually increase, becoming squally with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from the morning of 23rd May. It would extend to adjoining areas of the north Bay of Bengal with increased wind speeds of 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, from the morning of 24th May and over the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining northwest and east-central Bay of Bengal from the morning of 25th May for the subsequent 24 hours.

Sea condition: Sea condition is likely to be moderate to rough over the southwest Bay of Bengal on 21st and 22nd May, rough to very rough over central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from 23rd May, and over north Bay of Bengal from 24th May onwards.

Fishermen warning: Fishermen are advised not to venture into central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal from 23rd May and into north Bay of Bengal from 24th May onwards. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast before 23rd May.