IMD Forecasts Low-Pressure Formation Over Bay of Bengal, Rain and Thunderstorm Alert for Odisha
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal on October 21, triggering a rain and thunderstorm alert for several districts of Odisha over the next three days.
According to the IMD’s mid-day bulletin, a cyclonic circulation currently lies over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 21. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and may intensify into a depression over the central parts of the south Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay within 48 hours.
Rain and Thunderstorm Warning
The IMD has issued a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds (30–40 kmph) in several parts of Odisha from October 19 to 21.
- October 19: Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are likely at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Nabarangpur districts.
- October 20: Similar weather conditions are expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Koraput districts.
- October 21: Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are likely in Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.
Fog Forecast
The weather office has also predicted shallow to moderate fog in parts of Odisha during the early morning hours of October 20 and 21, particularly over Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts.
Authorities have advised people in the affected areas to stay alert, avoid outdoor activities during thunderstorms, and follow safety measures and local advisories issued by the administration.
