Bhubaneswar: Heavy rains triggered by a
depression over the Bay of Bengal pounded several parts of
Orissa Friday, disrupting normal life and dampening Durga puja
festivities.
The depression, which lay centered at about 300 km
east-south-east of Gopalpur, is likely to intensify into a
deep depression, a senior meteorological official said.
The current environmental condition and numerical
weather prediction (NWP) models suggested that the system is
likely to move north-westward, he said.
Even as heavy downpour lashed many places since
yesterday, the Met office forecast more rain and thundershower
at most areas over coastal Orissa and a few places over
interior region.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall was forecast at some
places in coastal belt and the Met office advised hoisting of
Local Cautionary signal number-III in ports of Orissa.
As sea condition was likely to be rough, fishermen
were asked not to venture into the sea. Squally wind with
speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph was expected to sweep the coast.
Incessant rains and gusty wind dampened the Durga puja festivities in the region.
The state government had two days ago issued a
high-alert in six coastal districts of Ganjam, Puri,
Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore and asked the
administration to remain prepared to deal with any situation.
PTI
