Depression to cross Orissa coast on Aug 6

Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: The depression over North West Bay of Bengalhas moved westwards and concentrated into a deep depression and now laycentred about 100 km South East of Chandbali.

Met officials here today said, ''The system is likely to move in aWest North Westerly direction and cross North Orissa coast between Puriand Chandbali near Paradip by this afternoon.'' Under its impact, heavyto very heavy rainfall likely to occur at few place and extremely heavyfalls of more than 25 cm in isolated places over Orissa during next 24hours.

The authority continued to hoist the local cautionary signalnumber three for the third day today and advised fishermen not toventure into the sea.

Squally surface wind from the north-westerly direction with speedreaching 50-60 kmph is likely to blow along and off Orissa coast duringthe next 48 hours, Met office personnel said.

Heavy downpours continued to lash several parts of Orissa for thethird day today crippling life. Sources said several areas of Cuttackwere still submerged in rain water and the authority had engagedhundreds of pump sets to flush out the water.

Yesterday, Cuttack recorded 33 cm rainfall, as a result of whichall major roads in the city had been submerged in knee-deep water,forcing residents to remain indoor for the whole day.

The district administration today declared that all theeducational institutions in the city would remian closed. Nearly 10,000people had been evacuated from slums and other low lying areas in thecity and were provided shelter in various school building.

UNI