A deep depression brewing over the northwest Bay of Bengal is racing towards the West Bengal-north Odisha coastline and is expected to make landfall early Tuesday morning, bringing more intense rainfall, strong winds and rough seas.
The system, which formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of the West Bengal-north Odisha coast, has been moving northwards at a speed of about 3 km per hour over the past six hours. As of 5:30 pm on Monday, it was located roughly 40 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, 20 km east-southeast of Digha and 60 km east of Balasore.
Meteorologists say the deep depression will continue its northward track, brush past Sagar Island and cross the West Bengal-north Odisha coast near Haldia, between Baleshwar and Canning, on the morning of July 28. The monsoon trough currently runs through the centre of the system and extends towards the northeast Bay of Bengal, fuelling widespread heavy rain along the coastal belt.
In the last 24 hours, Banki in Cuttack district recorded the highest rainfall of 19.2 cm. Extremely heavy rain lashed four towns while 14 others experienced heavy downpours. Under the influence of the system, coastal districts of both Odisha and West Bengal continue to receive heavy showers.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange warning for extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Baragada and Sambalpur districts. A yellow warning for heavy rain is in force for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deogarh, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada and Bolangir.
For the next 24 hours, extremely heavy rain is likely at isolated places. The sea will remain rough over the north Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha-West Bengal coast. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the deep sea and to avoid the north Bay of Bengal altogether.
After the system crosses the coast, the intensity of rainfall is expected to ease over the subsequent 48 hours. On July 29 and 30, the state is likely to see only thunderstorms accompanied by rain and gusty winds of 30-50 kmph. However, heavy rain is forecast to return from July 31, particularly over north Odisha.
Regional weather officials have cautioned that no major change in the overall weather pattern is expected in the immediate future, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain prepared for continued wet conditions.
