Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Warning for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rain at isolated places during the next 24 hours, as a deep depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha is expected to weaken gradually while moving north-northwestwards.
The system, centred near latitude 18.5°N and longitude 83.5°E at 8.30 am on Thursday, was about 80 km south-southeast of Rayagada and 90 km east-southeast of Koraput. It is likely to weaken into a depression by Thursday evening and continue to weaken during the subsequent 24 hours, the IMD said.
The IMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershower at most places across Odisha during the next 24 hours. Along with the Red Warning districts, an Orange Warning has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam, where heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places.
A Yellow Warning has been issued for several other districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Baragada, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also likely in these areas.
The weather system has already triggered widespread rainfall, with heavy to very heavy rain recorded at one or two places in several districts. Similiguda in Koraput recorded the highest rainfall of 19 cm, followed by Chitrakonda K Guma in Malkangiri with 17 cm and Mahendragarh in Gajapati with 15 cm.
Gusty winds of up to 71 kmph were recorded at Gopalpur, while Bhubaneswar recorded 53 kmph, Puri 65 kmph and Balasore 42 kmph, according to the bulletin.
The IMD has warned of localised flooding, waterlogging, disruption to traffic, damage to vulnerable structures and possible landslides in vulnerable areas due to heavy rainfall. Strong winds may also affect power and communication lines, horticulture and standing crops.
For the next 24 hours, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as squally weather with winds of 50-60 kmph, occasionally gusting to 70 kmph, is likely along and off the Odisha coast. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough. Similar conditions are forecast for September 25.
For September 25-26, an Orange Warning is forecast for Nuapada on the first day, while Yellow Warnings have been issued for several western and southern districts. On September 26-27, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Bargarh and Nuapada.
