A well-marked low-pressure system in the northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression early Thursday morning and is expected to strengthen further into a deep depression, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
At 5:30 AM IST, the system was centered about 100 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, near the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts. It is expected to move northward and cross the coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by Thursday afternoon.
In a statement, IMD tweeted:
“Yesterday’s well-marked low pressure (WML) concentrated into a depression at 0530 hours IST of today, May 29, 2025, over northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts.”
Several coastal and interior districts of Odisha are likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall under the influence of the system. However, West Bengal is expected to bear the brunt with heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East Burdwan, East Midnapore, Nadia, and Murshidabad.
These downpours could cause waterlogging in low-lying areas and affect daily life.
Gusty winds are likely to accompany the system, with speeds reaching 30-50 km/h, especially in coastal regions of Odisha.
Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea due to rough conditions and high waves triggered by the depression.
Weather Warnings for Odisha
Day 1: May 29 (0830 hrs IST) – May 30 (0830 hrs IST)
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Orange Warning:
Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara
– Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40–50 kmph)
– Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in isolated locations. -
Yellow Warning:
Keonjhar, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur
– Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40–50 kmph)
– Heavy rainfall likely at isolated places.
Day 2: May 30 (0830 hrs IST) – May 31 (0830 hrs IST)
-
Yellow Warning:
Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Balangir, Boudh, Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Ganjam, Gajapati
– Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph)
– Heavy rainfall expected in isolated locations.
The IMD is monitoring the system closely, and the State Emergency Response Teams have been alerted. Citizens are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions.
