Widespread Rainfall Predicted Across Odisha Till July 26: IMD Issues Multiple Weather Warnings

Bhubaneswar: A spell of widespread rainfall is set to drench Odisha over the next several days, as per the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). With thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds also expected, the IMD has issued a series of weather alerts covering multiple districts through July 26.

Weather officials have linked the expected downpour to two active weather systems: a trough line stretching from north Bihar to Odisha across Jharkhand, and an upper air cyclonic circulation hovering over the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Odisha-Andhra coast. These systems are expected to trigger moderate to heavy rainfall across various regions of the state.

Rainfall Forecast and Warnings by Date
July 21 – Yellow Warning
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty surface winds (30–40 kmph) are likely to affect parts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nuapada, and Malkangiri.

Isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, and Bolangir may also witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.

July 22–23 – Continued Yellow Alert
The IMD has predicted heavy showers and thunderstorms in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Nuapada, while thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds may impact Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Rayagada.

July 24–25 – Orange and Yellow Warnings Issued
An orange warning has been declared for Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, where very heavy rainfall is expected along with thunderstorm activity and gusty winds.

A yellow warning has also been sounded for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, signaling the likelihood of heavy rain and thunderstorm activity.

July 26 – Yellow Alert Continues
The wet spell is expected to persist till at least July 26, with heavy rainfall likely at one or two locations across the state on that day.

The IMD has urged residents, especially in vulnerable and low-lying areas, to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel during the warning periods. Authorities are advised to remain prepared for any emergency response, especially in districts prone to flooding or storm-related incidents.