Bhubaneswar: The depression that formed over south-east and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression and is expected to take the form of a cyclonic storm ‘Titli’ during next 24 hours triggering heavy rainfall and stormy winds in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
“By 5.30 am today, the deep depression over east central Bay of Bengal is moving further towards west-north westwards with a speed of about 11 kmph and lay centred over west central Bay of Bengal near 570 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 510 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh,” informed Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Deputy Officer, Sudarsan Mishra.
“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and is expected to move west-north westwards for some more time and then north westwards and cross the coast between Gopalpur of Odisha and Kalingapatnam of adjoining north Andhra Pradesh around the morning of October 11,” Mishra said.
Meanwhile, the IMD officials also forecasted heavy rainfall at isolated places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts from today in view of the cyclonic storm.
Besides, districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall from tomorrow.
Moreover, the IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for Kandhamal, Boudh and Dhenkanal district from October 11.
Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely to commence along and off Odisha coast from the night today. The wind speed will increase gradually becoming 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph from the evening of October 10 along and off south Odisha coast and 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph along and off north Odisha coasts, said the regional Met department in a statement.
As the sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal during the 24 hours, and very rough to high on October 10 and 11, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Odisha coast and central and north Bay of Bengal till October 12.
On the other hand, the state government has geared up to tackle the situation. District collectors have been asked to remain alert and make necessary arrangements to shift people living in low lying areas.
Deputy Relief Commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra informed that around 300 motor boats have been arranged to assist in rescue operation as there is likelihood of flood situation due to possibility of heavy rains till October 11.