Depression to Form Over Bay of Bengal, IMD Warns of Heavy Rain in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecasted the formation of a depression over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) within the next 24 hours, warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds across several districts of Odisha.

According to the IMD’s morning bulletin, a well-marked low-pressure area currently lies over the northwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal after moving westwards from the north-central Bay. The system is expected to intensify into a depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay, off the South Odisha–North Andhra Pradesh coasts, within the next 24 hours.

The weather office said the system is likely to cross the South Odisha–North Andhra Pradesh coasts around the morning of September 27. The upper air cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas has also merged with the existing system, further strengthening it.

In view of the expected weather conditions, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Koraput and Malkangiri districts for Thursday. These regions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface winds with speeds reaching 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph.

A Yellow Warning has been issued for several other districts, including Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda, Kandhamal, Balasore, and Nayagarh, where heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds (40–50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph) are likely at one or two places.

Additionally, Mayurbhanj district is expected to receive heavy rainfall with wind speeds of 20–30 kmph, gusting up to 40 kmph.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also likely at one or two places over Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Bolangir, with wind speeds reaching 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph.

Meanwhile, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar may experience thunderstorms with lightning and moderate gusty winds (20–30 kmph gusting to 40 kmph).

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and urged residents in the warned districts to take precautions against heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds.