Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued cyclone alert for south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh. Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri districts of Odisha are likely to be most affected due to the cyclonic storm.

"The deep depression over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards in past six hours with a speed about 12 kmph. It lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 20th September, 2018 over westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 17.6 0N and longitude 86.8 0E, about 290 km east southeast of Kalingapatnam (Coastal Andhra Pradesh) and about 270 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha)," a bulletin of the IMD issued at 2.30 pm said.

"It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross south Odisha - north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam & Puri (Odisha), close to Gopalpur around midnight of today, the 20th September as a cyclonic storm with wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph," the bulletin added.

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is very likely along & off Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh Coasts during next 03 hours. It will gradually increase becoming 60-70 kmph gusting 80 kmph from today evening for subsequent 12 hours.

Storm surge of about 0.5 meter above astronomical tides likely to inundate low lying areas of districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts of Odisha at the time of landfall.

Damage has been expected in districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches and Major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads are also expected.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into northwest Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh Coasts during next 24 hours.