Odisha Braces for Heavy Rains as Depression Forms in Bay of Bengal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a well-marked low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has developed into a depression, leading to heavy rains in Odisha. A red alert has been issued for five districts. Fishermen are advised against sea ventures until September 11.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Sunday that a well-marked low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has developed into a depression. As a result, Odisha is expected to experience heavy rainfall over the next three days.

A red alert has been issued for five districts, and the state is already experiencing significant rainfall in various regions. Fishermen have been cautioned to avoid venturing into the sea until September 11.

According to the IMD's latest bulletin, the depression is currently situated approximately 270 km from Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, 210 km from Gopalpur in Odisha, and 370 km from Digha in West Bengal. The system is projected to head towards the Odisha-West Bengal coasts and strengthen into a deep depression by Monday.

Post crossing between Puri and Digha around midday on Monday, it is expected to continue towards Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh over the next two days. Severe rainfall has already impacted several areas in Odisha, with Kundra and Boipariguda blocks in Koraput district being the hardest hit. Low-lying areas remain submerged, and extensive crop damage has been reported.

In Kundra's Dighapur block, the high water levels have severed road connections, prompting authorities to open two gates of the Machkund dam to release excess water. IMD forecasts predict extremely heavy rain (over 20 cm) for specific districts on Monday, issuing a red warning for Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal.

An orange warning has been issued for Ganjam, Koraput, Kandhamal, Bolangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Sambalpur, Angul, and Nayagarh districts. Meanwhile, a yellow warning remains for Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts.

Squally weather with winds reaching 45-55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, is prevalent over the Bay of Bengal and off Odisha's coast. Wind speeds are expected to increase to 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, from Sunday night through the morning of September 10 before gradually decreasing.

(With inputs from agencies.)