Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department has sounded a red warning for parts of Odisha, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy showers at one or two places over the next two days due to the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.
For July 4, a red alert has been issued for Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Heavy rainfall is very likely in isolated pockets of these southern districts. Besides, an orange warning is also in place for Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kandhamal, Nabarangapur, Gajapati and Ganjam, where heavy to very heavy rain may occur at one or two places. In addition, 17 other districts including Balasore, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj are under a yellow warning for heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
The intense spell is expected to shift eastward on July 5. The red warning for that day covers Sambalpur, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh and Kandhamal, with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rain and extremely heavy downpour at one or two places. Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam and Nayagarh have been placed under orange alert. The yellow warning extends to 16 districts including Bargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri and the coastal belt from Balasore to Puri.From July 6 to July 8, the rainfall activity will remain concentrated over northern Odisha.
The IMD has issued an orange warning for Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj for all three days, predicting heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places. A yellow warning also continues for districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul and Dhenkanal during the period.
The weather office has advised the district administrations in red and orange alert zones to stay prepared for possible waterlogging, flash floods in hilly areas, and disruption to road traffic. People in vulnerable locations have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel and keep track of official updates. That apart, fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast.
The current spell is linked to the low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, which the IMD said is likely to become more marked in the next two days.
