Bhubaneswar, October 19: Several parts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy rain today dampening Diwali celebrations in the state, the Met department said on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal that was likely to intensify into a depression.

It was very likely to move north-northwest and reach the Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts by Thursday evening.

"Rain or thundershower is likely to occur at most places in coastal Odisha districts and at many places in interior Odisha during the next 24 hours," said the regional Met office.

It said heavy rain to very heavy rainfall was likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of south Odisha and heavy rain at one or two places in north Odisha during the Diwali day.

"Strong and gusty surface winds from a northeasterly direction with speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph are likely to prevail along and off the Odisha coast," said the IMD.

The forecaster advised fishermen not to venture into the sea as conditions were likely to be rough and very rough along and off the Odisha coast.(IANS)