Bhubaneswar, May 18: A depression over east central bay and adjoining north Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cross north Orissa-west Bengal coast between Paradip and Kolkata by tonight or Wednesday morning. Meteorological office sources here today said the cyclonic storm, lying centred about 450 km south east of Balasore, is likely to intensify further and move in a north westerly direction to hit the Orissa and West Bengal coast. Under its impact, scattered heavy and very heavy rainfalls are likely to occur over north Orissa during the next 48 hours.
Gale wind speed reaching 80 to 100 km per hour might commence along and off the Orissa coast from tomorrow afternoon. The GET office cautioned that the sea would be very rough to high along and off Orissa coast and advised the fishermen not to venture into the open sea.

The authorities had already hoisted local cautionary signal number three and four at Puri port and danger signal number five at Gopalpur port, Paradip port and Chandipur port. Meanwhile, the government today alerted the coastal district admintrations to take all possible measures in view of the cyclonic storm heading for the coast. Bureau Report