A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression, which was likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts around midnight, the IMD said on Saturday afternoon.
The system was likely to cross between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur close to Kalingapatnam, it said.
The IMD issued an 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rain (7 cm to 20 cm) accompanied by thunderstorms for parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangpur districts till 8.30 am on Sunday.
Heavy rain (7 to 11cm) along with thunderstorms and lightning could also occur in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts, it said.
Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph was likely along and off the Odisha coast, it added.
Asking fishermen not to venture into the sea till September 1, the IMD said the Bay of Bengal would remain rough to very rough.
Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh asked all districts to remain prepared to face any eventuality.
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