Bhubaneswar, Oct. 26 -- The depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. The system, which has been moving northwestward at a speed of about 10 kmph over the past six hours, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm 'Montha' in the next 24 hours.

According to the IMD, the deep depression is currently centered about 950 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 840 km from Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). The system is expected to strengthen further and become a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28, as it moves northwestward over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

As per the previous forecast, Cyclone Montha is likely to make landfall between Kakin...