Bhubaneswar, Sep 6 (IANS): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha in the next 24 hours.

The IMD said that satellite images indicate a depression has formed over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and North Odisha coasts.

"Heavy to very heavy rains at few places with isolated extremely heavy rains is very likely to occur over districts of North Odisha and isolated heavy to very heavy rains also likely to occur over districts of South Odisha," said a met bulletin.

It forecasts that squally winds reaching 40-50 kilometres per hour gusting to 60 kmph are very likely to occur along and off Odisha coasts during the next 24 hours.

The met department also predicted that rain/thundershower is likely to occur at most places in Odisha on Friday.

The fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during the next 24 hours as the sea will be rough to very rough off Odisha coast.