depression in Bay of Bengal, heavy rains expected

Kolkata, Aug 16 (UNI) With the centre of depression in Bay of Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal is likely to witness "heavy" to "extremely heavy" rainfall in the next 24 hours.

Met officials said here today that the depression is centred around 20.5 degree north and 88 degree east of Bay of Bengal, about 150 km from Balasore in Orissa.

Apart from West Bengal, heavy rainfall is also expected in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

Met sources said, ''The system is likely to move in west, north and westerly direction and cross North Orissa and West Bengal coast between Paradip and Digha by tonight or tomorrow early morning.'' Under its influence widespread rainfall and thundershowers, with heavy to very heavy rainfalls, are expected at a few places in the state in next 24 hours, weatherman said.

''Orissa is also likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rains, around 25 cm, at one or two places in next 24 hours,'' met officials said.

The maximum temperature is expected to drop to 29 degree Celsius, sources said.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 31.6 degree Celsius today while the minimum was 25.5 degree Celsius.

The maxumim Relative humidity was 97 per cent while the minimum was 75 per cent.

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