Bhubaneswar: Amid cyclonic storm 'Arnab', a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas within the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

The weather system is expected to develop under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation persisting over the south Andaman Sea and neighbourhood, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.

However, there is uncertainty over the system's future development. While most ensemble and artificial intelligence-based models indicate that the circulation will move northwestwards and weaken within the next two days, the Global Forecast System (GFS) group of models suggest further intensification.

According to the IMD, the MITHUNA and NCEP GFS models indicate that the system could intensify into a deep depression, while other models in the GFS group suggest the possibility of it developing into a cyclonic storm.

Meanwhile, Odisha continues to experience widespread rainfall under the influence of Cyclone 'Arnab'.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts

Light to moderate rainfall occurred at most places across Odisha, while heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts.

Extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Gajapati district.

The IMD has also forecasted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across several districts of the state on Wednesday.

Thunderstorm and strong winds forecast

Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 60-80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph. Similar conditions are forecasted for Kalahandi district.

In Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh districts, thunderstorms with lightning and winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are likely at isolated places.

Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts may experience thunderstorms with lightning and winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph.

Similar weather conditions are forecasted for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Deogarh districts.

Cyclone 'Arnab' weakens after crossing coast

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam between 2 am and 8 am on October 28, the IMD said.

At the time of crossing the coast, the storm had maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph.

The cyclone is likely to move north-northwestwards over the next 48 hours and weaken gradually. It is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours and further into a deep depression during the subsequent six hours, according to the IMD bulletin.