Friday, October 28 2005 14:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: Incessant rains lashed coastal Orissa under the influence of the deep depression over Bay of Bengal as the system lay centered 100 km south east of Ongole in Andhra Pradesh.

"It is still a deep depression and is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kavali and Macchalipatnam by noon today (Oct 28, 2005)", S C Sahu, Director of the cyclone warning centre told sources here.

Heavy rains were forecast in several parts of the state, particularly the coastal and southern districts under the influence of the deep depression.

As the sea has remained rough, fishermen have been asked not to venture into the waters. An alert had been sounded in all coastal districts to remain prepared to face any eventuality even though there was no immediate threat to the state, official sources said.

Reports from Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts said the incessant rains affected normal life in several places, including Kendrapara and the port town of Paradip.

Paradip registered 42.2 mm of rainfall till this morning while the coastal town of Chandbali received 42.5 mm of precipitation.

It is also raining in Ganjam district with the popular sea resort of Gopalpur recording 27.1 mm so far, the reports said.