Orange Alert for Four Odisha Districts as Heavy Rain Likely Till August 5
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that Odisha will continue to witness widespread rainfall over the coming days, with heavy showers expected to persist until August 5. On Wednesday, the weather agency issued an Orange Warning for four districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, the Deep Depression that triggered intense rainfall across Odisha has now weakened slightly after moving into central Chhattisgarh. As of 8.30 am on Wednesday, the system was centred over central Chhattisgarh and adjoining north interior Odisha. It is expected to continue its westward movement across Chhattisgarh and eastern Madhya Pradesh over the next day.
The districts of Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput have been placed under an Orange Warning due to the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Meanwhile, a Yellow Warning has been issued for Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Malkangiri, where heavy rain is expected. Most parts of the state are also likely to receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms.
The weather office has forecast that from July 30 to August 2, several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri, may experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph, along with intermittent rainfall.
The extended forecast indicates that rainfall activity will continue across different regions of Odisha through August 5. Heavy rain is likely over Kandhamal, Rayagada and Gajapati on August 2. On August 3, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Gajapati are expected to receive heavy showers. The following day, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Keonjhar are likely to remain under the influence of heavy rainfall. The IMD has indicated that no major change in the prevailing weather conditions is expected for at least three more days.
The department has warned that persistent rainfall could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, localized flooding, disruption of road traffic, poor visibility, damage to kutcha roads, landslides in vulnerable locations and inundation of standing crops. Residents have been advised to avoid flooded areas, remain cautious while travelling and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
During the past 24 hours, the southwest monsoon remained vigorous over Odisha, bringing widespread rainfall. Extremely heavy rainfall was reported from parts of Bargarh, Balangir, Subarnapur, Keonjhar, Boudh and Angul districts. Bijepur in Bargarh recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 31 cm, while Agalpur and Salebhatta in Balangir district received 26 cm each.
For Bhubaneswar, the IMD has predicted a generally cloudy sky with rain or thundershowers likely during the next 24 hours. The city is expected to record a maximum temperature of around 32°C and a minimum of 26°C. The weather office has not issued any warning for fishermen along the Odisha coast over the next five days.
