“Depression likely by Sept 21; landfall possible near Chilika on Sept 23 “
Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure system over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a Depression by September 21 evening and a Deep Depression by September 22 evening, according to Dr Sarat Chandra Sahu, Director, SOA Centre of Environment and Climate.
The system is currently moving west-northwestwards, though its intensification remains slow. Dr Sahu has forecast a possible landfall near Chilika, either in Ganjam or Puri district, during the night of September 23. However, he said the exact landfall location remains uncertain and is likely to become clearer by the afternoon of September 22.
Heavy rain expected across Odisha
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected from September 21 to 23 in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Ganjam, Khurda, Cuttack, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Angul, Nayagarh and Nuapada. Extremely heavy rain is possible in Khurda, Cuttack and Nayagarh.
Flood threat in major river basins !
The heavy rainfall zone is expected to shift towards northern and western Odisha from September 23 to 26. Dr Sahu cautioned that persistent rain could raise the risk of flooding in the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga river catchments. After landfall, the system may move northwards and then northeastwards towards Jharkhand.
