Heavy Rain to Lash Odisha for Days as Low Pressure Intensifies Over Bay

Bhubaneswar: A prolonged spell of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to hit Odisha over the coming days, as a low-pressure area over the north Bay of Bengal gradually intensifies and moves closer to the state’s northern coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts for districts across Odisha, warning of severe weather conditions until July 30.

The low pressure system, currently persisting over the same region, is expected to intensify into a well-marked low pressure area within the next 24 hours. It is likely to move west-northwestwards, gradually shifting toward the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh, before impacting northern Odisha.

In anticipation of intense rainfall, the IMD has issued red, orange, and yellow warnings for different districts based on forecast severity. Red warnings, indicating extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 30–40 kmph, have been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts for the next 24 hours. The red alert will also remain in effect in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar on July 25 and 26.

An orange alert has been issued for Kendrapada, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Koraput, and Malkangiri, where heavy to very heavy rain is expected along with thunderstorms and gusty winds. The forecast for July 25 and 26 includes similar conditions in Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, and Sundargarh. On July 26 and 27, Sundargarh will continue to remain under the orange warning.

Yellow warnings, indicating the likelihood of isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms, have been issued for several districts, including Deogarh, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Boudh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Jajpur. Many of these districts are likely to experience gusty surface winds of 30–40 kmph along with lightning.

Thunderstorms with gusty winds are also likely to affect areas such as Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Puri, and Malkangiri during this period. On July 26 and 27, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Bargarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda are also expected to receive heavy rainfall under yellow warning conditions.

The IMD has advised residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions, especially in low-lying and vulnerable areas prone to waterlogging and landslides. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea as strong winds and rough conditions are expected along the Odisha coast.

The state government has activated disaster preparedness measures, with emergency teams on standby in the most vulnerable districts. Local authorities are closely monitoring river levels and are coordinating with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority to respond quickly in case of emergencies. Citizens have been urged to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during the warning period.