OD-RAIN

Deep depression likely to trigger rain in Odisha
    Bhubaneswar, Dec 15 (PTI) A deep depression moving
towards coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to trigger moderate
to heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha during the next
two days.
    Districts like Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada and
Kalahandi are expected to be lashed by heavy rain on Sunday
under the impact of the deep depression, the Meteorological
Centre here said in a bulletin.
    Similarly, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is
also likely to occur in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada,
Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Bargarh, Balangir,
Jharsuguda and Sambalpur on Monday, it said.
    The MeT centre forecast light to moderate rainfall and
thundershower in many places, mainly south Odisha districts,
from Sunday to December 18.
    While there was no general warning for fishermen in
Odisha coast, they were advised not to venture into deep sea
areas of west central and adjoining south west Bay of Bengal
till Monday, it said
    The deep depression is likely to intensify further
into a cyclonic storm during Sunday and into a severe cyclonic
storm in subsequent 24 hours, it said. It is likely to move
north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between
Ongole and Kakinada Monday afternoon.
    The Odisha government has already asked district
collectors to take steps to protect paddy from the unseasonal
rain. Farmers have been advised to reap the paddy in their
field and bring it to a safe place. They have also been asked
to collect the paddy stacks kept in the field for drying to
safe place and cover the paddy stacks.
    The district administration have been asked to take
necessary steps to protect the paddy kept in mandis from the
rain. PTI SKN
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