Odisha hoists storm signal, warns fishermen

Fishermen in Odisha were warned by the weatherman Thursday against venturing into the sea as gusty winds would prevail all along and off the coast in the state.

A well marked low pressure area which was earlier centred over south coastal Andhra Pradesh adjoining west central Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood now lies over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas of Telangana and Rayalaseema, an official of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre told IANS.

As a result squally weather with wind speeds reaching up to 55 kmph may prevail along and off the state's coast. Since the sea would be rough to very rough, fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, the official said.

Widespread rains are also likely to continue in the state in the next two days. Some places may witness extremely heavy rain. The weather office has asked all ports in the state to hoist local cautionary signal number three, he said.