Deep depression makes landfall, bringing rain and gusty winds

It may continue moving north-northwest and gradually weaken further, the Met Office says

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has made landfall on India’s Odisha coast near Gopalpur before weakening into a land depression.

According to a special weather bulletin, the system had been positioned over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay before crossing the coast around 6pm Thursday, and now lies over coastal Odisha and adjoining areas as a land depression.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said it may move further north-northwest and weaken gradually. The system has created steep pressure gradients over the northern Bay, generating squally winds across the northern Bay, Bangladesh’s coastal areas and seaports.

Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra ports to keep hoisting local cautionary signal No. 3. Fishing boats and trawlers over the northern Bay have been asked to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

The system formed from a low-pressure area over the Bay on Wednesday. By night it developed into a depression, then intensified into a deep depression on Thursday before making landfall and weakening.

In its evening bulletin, the Met Office said the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the northern Bay.

Most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may experience light to moderate showers or thundershowers with temporary gusts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely in parts of the country.

Daytime temperatures may rise slightly, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged.

In the 24 hours to 6pm Thursday, the highest rainfall recorded was 79mm at Patuakhali and Khepupara. The highest temperature was 33.5°C at Ambagan, while the lowest was 23.4°C in Sylhet.