IMD Forecasts Heavy Rain in Odisha Till August 29; Flood Concerns Rise
Bhubaneswar: With incessant rainfall swelling rivers and raising flood concerns across Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted that heavy rain will continue in most parts of the state till August 29.
According to the IMD bulletin, a cyclonic circulation persists over the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha and West Bengal coasts between 1.5 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level, tilting southward with height. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form in the region within the next 48 hours.
The IMD has issued district-wise weather warnings for the next five days:
- August 25 (Yellow Alert): Heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) likely in Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput.
- August 26 (Orange & Yellow Alert): Very heavy rain likely in Gajapati and Rayagada. Heavy rain forecast for Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh and Malkangiri, with thunderstorms in several coastal and western districts.
- August 27 (Orange & Yellow Alert): Very heavy rainfall expected in Nayagarh and Kandhamal, while Khurda, Puri, Cuttack, Boudh, Koraput and Malkangiri may also receive heavy rain.
- August 28 (Yellow Alert): Heavy rain forecast in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Kalahandi and Sundargarh. Thunderstorms expected in several southern and western districts.
- August 29 (Yellow Alert): Heavy rain likely in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh, with thunderstorms in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada and other adjoining districts.
Meanwhile, sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough over the North Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha coast from August 26 to 29. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.
