Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over several districts of Odisha from August 12 to 18, issuing Orange and Yellow alerts for the period.
On August 12, an Orange warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur. Moderate thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely over Baleshwar, Sundargada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Anugola. Also, a Yellow warning for heavy rainfall covers Jajpur, Kataka, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, while thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds are expected over a large number of districts including Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka and several southern and western districts.
On August 13, Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain has been issued for Anugola and Kendujhar. Yellow alerts for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with gusty winds cover most of the coastal, northern and several interior districts of the state.
For August 14, Sundargada is under Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Yellow alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms remain in force over Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundargada and many other districts.
From August 15 to 18, the intensity is expected to reduce slightly, with Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall limited to select northern districts such as Sundargada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Baleshwar. However, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph are likely to continue at one or two places over a wide swathe of districts across Odisha during this period.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain cautious and follow weather updates.
Meanwhile, the upper air cyclonic circulation over northwest Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood extending upto 7.6 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height persists. Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over the same region around August 12.
