Bhubaneswar: A fresh cyclonic circulation over east-central Bay of Bengal will trigger heavy rainfall in coastal and southern parts of the state in the next 24 hours, the Regional Metrological Centre here forecast on Sunday.

Weathermen predicted that the cyclonic circulation would turn into a low-pressure system over the north-central Bay of Bengal by September 18.

According to the latest forecast by the weather office, heavy rain accompanied with lightning and thunderstorm was most likely to occur in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Khurda, Cuttack and Nayagarh and other parts of coastal and southern Odisha.

Angul today received a rainfall of 24mm, while Paradip received 18mm rainfall. Sonepur received a rainfall of 12mm.

"A low-pressure area is likely to form over west-central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal around September 18. Strengthening of winds may happen over Andaman Sea, east-central and south Bay of Bengal from September 16," said a Met official.

In view of the likely adverse sea conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea between September 16 and 18.

The Met official also said that several places of the state were likely to receive heavy rain while light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorm was likely to continue at most places of the state till September 22.

Districts - such as Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Rayagada - will witness heavy rainfall from the night on September 20 till the next morning while districts of Khurda, Nayagarh and Puri will receive moderate rainfall during the period.

In another development, two persons, including a jawan of the CRPF, died and one was injured in a lightning strike at Mathanpala at Titlagarh tehsil in Balangir district.

Sources, the victims were part of a group from Rampur area of Kalahandi, who were on a picnic to Mathanpala dam.

The cumulative average rainfall of the state witnessed a 13.5 per cent surplus between June 1 and September 16.

While 11 districts have received surplus rainfall of more than 19 per cent, other districts have received normal rainfall during the period.