Bhubaneswar: The deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal crossed the West Bengal and north Odisha coasts near Digha in the early hours of Tuesday, and is expected to continue moving west-northwest across north Odisha, south Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh over the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

According to the IMD's morning bulletin, the system crossed the coast between 12.30 am and 1.30 am near Digha. At 5.30 am, it was centred over north coastal Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, about 30 km west-northwest of Digha, 30 km northeast of Balasore, 50 km east-southeast of Baripada, 160 km southeast of Jamshedpur and 170 km east of Keonjhargarh.

The IMD has predicted widespread rainfall across Odisha on Tuesday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at one or two places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sambalpur districts. An Orange Warning has been issued for these districts.

A Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir districts.

The weather office has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sambalpur districts.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are likely at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir districts.

The IMD has advised people in the affected areas to remain alert and follow weather advisories as heavy rainfall may lead to localised waterlogging, reduced visibility and disruptions to normal life in vulnerable locations.