Even though the Regional Office of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) here on Wednesday forecast weakening of the depression over north Odisha and neighbourhood, it issued a heavy rainfall warning for several districts.
“The depression over north Odisha and neighbourhood moved westwards with a speed of about 20 kmph during past six hours and lay centered at over north interior Odisha and neighbourhood about 50 km close to east of Jharsuguda. It is very likely to move west- northwest and weaken gradually into a well marked low pressure area during next 12 hours,” the IMD said. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Subarnapur and Balangir districts. local Cautionary Signal Number Three (lC-III) has been kept hoisted at all ports of the State. Squally winds with speeds reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph are likely to prevail along and off the Odisha coast during next 24 hours. Fishermen were advised not to venture into sea.