Bhubaneswar, Oct 21: A cyclonic circulation currently active over the North Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a low-pressure area by today, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction and may strengthen further into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of October 23.

While the system is unlikely to have a direct impact on Odisha, light to moderate rainfall is expected across several parts of the state under its influence. The IMD has issued a rainfall alert for 20 districts today, advising fishermen to return to shore by evening as a precautionary measure.

Senior meteorologist Prof. Surendranath Pasupalak stated that although a depression may form by October 23, there is no indication of it developing into a cyclone. The system has two likely paths: it may either make landfall along the southern Andhra Pradesh coast near Nellore and Visakhapatnam, or it could skirt the coast and move towards West Bengal via the Andhra-Odisha coastline without making landfall.

The depression is expected to remain moderate and is not likely to bring strong winds to the state.

Rainfall activity is forecast to intensify from October 24. Coastal areas of southern Odisha may receive rainfall on October 24, followed by widespread rain across the state on October 25 and 26. Northern Odisha could experience heavier rainfall on October 27.