Bhubaneswar, May 29: The cyclonic storm Mora is likely to cause heavy rainfall in coastal and interior parts of the state in the next 24 hours, said the regional meteorological department.

The cyclonic storm is expected to bring relief to the people from severe heat wave continuing for the past one month across the state.

At present, temperature in most parts of the state is hovering around 40°C, and in the interior parts, it has even crossed 45°C.

The deep depression over the east central Bay of Bengal has intensified into the cyclonic storm and is likely to cause the rainfall.

The state government today asked the four district collectors of Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj to remain on high alert.

Revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty said: "Our state machinery has been geared up to face the challenges arising out of the cyclone. The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority team has reached all the state's districts."

The meteorological centre said the cyclonic storm Mora over the east central Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastward during the past six hours with a speed of 19kmph and laid centred at 2.30pm over the east central Bay of Bengal, about 550km from east-southeast of Paradip.

The system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to move north-northeastward and cross the Bangladesh coast around May 30 forenoon.

In another development, the government has asked the fishermen communities not to venture into the sea.