Deep depression: Expect more rains in the state

BHUBANESWAR: The well-marked low pressure turned into a depression over the Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coast and moved northwards before intensifying into a deep depression. The system crossed West Bengal coast, 100 km east of Sagar Islands between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm. The deep depression currently lay centred near latitude 22.00 north and longitude 89.00 east, about 220 Km East-North-East of Balasore, the India Meteorological Department said.  The system is likely to move in north-north-westerly direction initially and then in a west-north-westwards before weakening into a depression during the next 24 hours. Under its impact, heavy rain lashed northern and coastal parts of the State though the intensity continued to decline over southern coastal and other interior regions. Chandbali received over 15-cm rain during the last 24 hours, while Keonjhar and Baripada recorded over 10-cm rain. Some parts of the western Orisa regions like Jharsuguda and Sambalpur also received monsoon rain.Capital city which had recorded over 7 cm rain till morning saw the intensity drop on Thursday evening. So did neighbouring Cuttack and Puri. The weather office said, rain and thunder showers would continue at  most places of Orissa during the next 24 hours while heavy to very heavy showers are expected at a few places with extremely heavy rain at one or two places over north Orissa.  The local cautionary signal No.3 was hoisted at all the ports in Orissa and warned that strong surface wind reaching a speed of 45 km to 55 km per hour, occasionally hitting 65 km mark will blow along and off Orissa Coast.