Bhubaneswar, Oct. 23: A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, named Kyant, is expected to become a cyclonic storm and hit the state on October 26.

It is likely to have impact on central and north Odisha, weather officials said.

Bhubaneswar meteorological department director Sarat Chandra Sahu said the system was likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours.

"The depression over east central Bay of Bengal has remained practically stationary during the past three hours, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 8.30am today over east central Bay of Bengal. The system is most likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. It will move northeastwards and reach close to north Myanmar coast by this evening. Thereafter, it will recurve initially north-northwestwards skirting Myanmar coast and then northwestwards towards northwest Bay of Bengal," he added.

Sahu said the deep depression lay centred about 950 km east-southeast of Gopalpur. "The impact of the cyclonic storm on Odisha could be known around October 26-27. It is likely to have impact on central and north Odisha," the official said.

He, however, said distant cautionary signal number one (DC-I) has been hoisted at all ports in Odisha while fishermen are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea.