BHUBANESWAR: The apprehension of State’s farming community turned true as the system over Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression and got closer to South Odisha coast on Friday. Under its impact, parts of coastal Odisha received rainfall though reports of heavy downpour was not recorded. Puri received about 21 mm rain, highest of the day.
The system, 330 km south-east of Gopalpur, is expected to trigger more shower over next 24 hours before moving north-westwards parallel to the coast. The system is expected to weaken over its course after next 24 hours.The weather office said despite packing wind, the system did not generate enough moisture to sustain. With temperature hovering about 18-19 degree Celsius, the atmosphere remained saturated and could not hold any moisture. The weather office predicted that the system may weaken into a depression by Saturday and a low pressure after 24 hours. However, on December 9 and 10, coastal pockets of the State will receive continuous showers though torrential downpour is not expected.
“The system has a large and scattered cloud ring but the rainfall impact area is small. After closing in, it would move parallel to the coast and is likely to head towards Gangetic West Bengal. In its trail, northern districts will receive showers,” said India Meteorological Department.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre, though, signalled possibility of a tropical storm and forecast a path heading towards North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coast. However, it also suggested that the system may weaken because of the conditions. Though the apprehension of a tropical storm is ruled out, the rainfall is expected to damage existing paddy and vegetable crops across the coastal and interior pockets. In many parts of the State, farmers found it difficult to get safe place to store their harvested crop. The extent of damage to crop would be known only after assessment after the system moves out, an Agriculture Department official said.