Bhubaneswar: The current depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast by Nov 19, with Odisha expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. The state govt, meanwhile, has stepped up preparedness measures.According to the IMD, wind speeds could reach 120-130 kmph, gusting up to 145 kmph, by Nov 19, even as the exact landfall location is yet to be determined.The IMD said the system, currently a depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Monday and further into a severe cyclonic storm on Nov 17. Thereafter, it is expected to strengthen further and move northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the subsequent two days.The depression moved north-northwestward at a speed of 15 kmph on Sunday and was centred over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal around 11.30 am. It lay around 1,070 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, among other reference points, the IMD said.The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha between Nov 19 and Nov 21. An orange warning has been issued for nine districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Bargarh.A yellow warning for heavy rainfall has also been issued for several coastal and interior districts from Nov 18 onwards.Manorama Mohanty, head of the regional IMD centre here, said rainfall activity is likely to begin on Nov 18, with the most intense spell expected between Nov 19 and Nov 21. She advised fishermen to return to the coast as sea conditions are likely to remain rough.In view of the evolving weather situation, the state govt has alerted all district administrations. Collectors have been asked to issue advisories and take precautionary measures, officials at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner said.Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the govt is prepared to deal with any eventuality arising from the storm.