Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red warning for scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls in southern Odisha districts, as a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal off the state’s coast persists and is expected to intensify. The system, associated with a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, is likely to move west-northwestwards and become more marked over the next two days, potentially exacerbating monsoon activity across the state.
In its midday weather bulletin issued at 1400 hrs IST today, the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar highlighted ongoing light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Odisha, with heavy rainfall recorded at isolated spots in Gajapati, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts in the south. Notable rainfall amounts included 10 cm each at Lamataput (Koraput) and Mathili (Malkangiri), 7 cm at Paralakhemundi (Gajapati), and 6 cm at Gumma (Gajapati) and Chitrakonda (Malkangiri).
The forecast predicts widespread light to moderate rain or thundershowers across most districts for the next three days, tapering to many places from Day 4 onwards.
Day 1 (up to 0830 hrs IST on August 27): Red warning for Koraput and Malkangiri, with heavy to very heavy rainfall (up to extremely heavy falls) and thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph). Orange warning for Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati. Yellow warnings for scattered heavy rain in Ganjam, Kandhamal, Bolangir, Nuapada, Puri, Nayagarh, and Khurda, plus thunderstorms in northern and coastal districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, and Sundargarh.
Day 2 (August 27-28): Orange warning for Malkangiri; yellow for heavy rain in Koraput, Nawarangpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda, and Puri, with thunderstorms elsewhere.
Day 3 (August 28-29): Yellow warnings for heavy rain in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati, and thunderstorms in most districts.
Days 4-5 (August 29-31): Yellow alerts for isolated heavy rain in southern districts like Ganjam and Gajapati (Day 4) and Mayurbhanj (Day 5), with widespread thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Days 6-7 (August 31-September 2): No specific warnings, but light to moderate rain likely at many places.
The outlook for September 2-5 indicates no large change in weather patterns.
The IMD warned of potential impacts in affected districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati, including damage to plantations, standing crops, unsecured structures, kutcha houses, roads, and embankments. Risks also include tree uprooting, localized flooding, waterlogging in low-lying and urban areas, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions, and landslides. Inland and marine transportation could be affected, with possible disruptions to small boats and trawlers.
Authorities and residents are urged to take action: monitor weather updates, suspend fishing operations, regulate rail and road traffic, stay indoors during storms, avoid water bodies and conductive objects, and prepare for evacuation if needed. Ports along the east coast should take precautions, and tourism activities may be restricted.
Fishermen along the Odisha coast face squally weather warnings: Winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over the North Bay of Bengal on August 26-27, with rough to very rough seas; advise against venturing out. From August 28-30, winds of 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph are expected, with moderate to rough seas persisting.
This intensified monsoon activity comes amid the active trough passing through key regions, underscoring the need for vigilance in vulnerable southern Odisha districts.
