An upper-air cyclonic circulation over north-west Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood turned into a low pressure triggering heavy showers in northern Odisha on Friday. The showers are expected to continue for the next two days.
While the upper catchments of the Mahanadi received heavy showers, the progress of the system is such that it will induce more rains across northern districts, the weatherman said.
The low pressure area, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, was lying over north Bay of Bengal, close to West Bengal as well as Odisha coast. The system is expected to intensify and move into the sea.
Under the impact of the system, districts such as Sambalpur, Bargarh and Nuapada, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur received rains. Nuapada received more than 13-cm rain while Sambalpur got over 5 cm. Upper Mahanadi basin, Baitarani basin and Bansadhara catchments received substantial rainfall during the day.
Director of IMD, Odisha, SC Sahu said the river catchments will receive more rain during the next 48 hours since the system may come closer.
The IMD said rain and thundershowers would occur at most places over Odisha during the next 24 hours, while heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur at a few places during the next 48 hours.
Strong and gusty surface wind reaching up to 45 km per hour and occasionally gusting to 55 km per hour will prevail along and off Odisha Coast. While the sea will be choppy, the fishermen have been advised against venturing into it.