Phailin weakens further, takes shape of "deep depression"

Cyclonic storm Phailin, which left a trail of devastation in Odisha, weakened into a deep depression today.

"Phailin over Odisha moved northwards with a speed of 20 kmph during past 6 hours, weakened further into a deep depression and lay centred at 1730 hrs of October 13 over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of Odisha and Jharkhand near latitude 22.50 N and longitude 83.80 E, 70 km north-northwest of Jharsuguda," IMD said.

The system would move northwards during next 6 hours, then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a depression during next 12 hours, it said.

Even as the system weakened, the IMD advised fishermen not to venture into sea and hoisting Storm Warning Signals.

Local Cautionary Signal Number Three (LC-III) kept hoisted at all ports in Odisha.

Under its impact, rain and thundershower would occur at most places over Odisha during next 24 hours, it said, adding that heavy to very heavy rainfalls at one or two places over North Odisha and heavy rainfall at one or two places in South Odisha during next 24 hours.

The IMD, however, said that squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph will be felt along and off Odisha Coast.