TV
The possibility of a cyclone hitting Odisha has been largely ruled out as a deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal is now heading steadily towards the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast.
According to the latest IMD update, the deep depression was located near latitude 21.3°N and longitude 88.5°E, approximately 60 km southeast of Sagar Island and 180 km west of Khepupara. It had been moving northward at a speed of 20 km/h over the past three hours.
Weather models, including those from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), indicate that the system is expected to make landfall between Sagar Island (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by Thursday afternoon, significantly reducing its chance of developing into a cyclonic storm.
Localised Heavy Rainfall in Odisha but No Cyclonic Threat
Though Odisha is likely to escape the brunt of the storm, the system’s impact has already brought significant rainfall to various districts over the past 24 hours.
As per the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Lanjigarh in Kalahandi recorded the highest rainfall at 96.4 mm, followed by Chilika (85 mm), Angul (74 mm), and Krishnaprasad in Puri (72 mm).
Temperature-wise, Jharsuguda recorded the highest maximum temperature in the plains at 36.6°C, while Angul and Nabarangpur reported the lowest minimum of 22.0°C.
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Warnings in Effect for Coastal and Interior Odisha
The IMD has issued both orange and yellow warnings across Odisha for May 29–30. Heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds (40–50 km/h) is expected over Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara.
A broader yellow alert covers Keonjhar, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur.
For May 30–31, yellow warnings extend to western and southern districts, including Bargarh, Boudh, Kalahandi, Khordha, Puri, and Ganjam, as the system weakens and moves inland post-landfall.
Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea as conditions remain rough.
While the system intensified quickly from a well-marked low to a deep depression, Odisha is unlikely to face a cyclonic event. However, an official update from the IMD on the next stage of the system is awaited.
