Heavy Rainfall Expected in Odisha: IMD Issues Multiple Warnings

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha over the next three days due to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. Multiple districts are under orange, yellow, and red warnings. Residents and fishermen are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that a new low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cause heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha over the next three days.

The IMD's Bhubaneswar center stated that the low-pressure area, caused by a cyclonic circulation over central and adjoining northern regions of the Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify into a depression as it heads towards the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts.

In response, the IMD has issued an orange warning ('be prepared') for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. A yellow warning ('be aware') has also been announced for Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Nuapada, Bargarh, Boudh, and Sonepur districts, urging residents to stay aware of changing weather conditions.

For Friday, the IMD has escalated the alert to a red warning ('take action') in Malkangiri, Koraput, and Gajapati districts due to the severity of the anticipated weather. The Koraput collector has accordingly declared a closure of all schools and anganwadi centers in the district and advised people to remain indoors.

Furthermore, orange warnings are in place for Rayagada, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi districts, indicating residents should be ready for potential disruptions. Yellow warnings continue for Nuapada, Bolangir, Boudh, Kandhamal, Sonepur, Bargarh, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur districts on Friday.

With rough sea conditions expected, the IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast from August 30 to September 1.

Odisha has received 804.1 mm of rainfall from June 1 to August 29, below the normal 896.3 mm. Malkangiri reported excess rainfall, 20 districts had normal rainfall, and nine districts reported deficient rainfall, according to the IMD.

(With inputs from agencies.)