Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intense rainfall across Odisha over the next four days as a low pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, an upper air cyclonic circulation currently lies over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Bangladesh. The system extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is tilting southwestwards with height. Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over north Bay of Bengal and adjoining west Bangladesh coasts during the next 24 hours. This is expected to bring widespread rain and squally weather to the state.
On July 15, the IMD has issued a Red Warning for Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places is very likely in these districts. An Orange Warning has been issued for Balasore, Jajpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places. Besides, a Yellow Warning has been sounded for Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal and Rayagada, where heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places.
The weather is expected to remain severe on July 16 as well. Jagatsinghpur district will again be under Red Warning with heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places and extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places very likely. Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh and Dhenkanal districts are under Orange Warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall. A Yellow Warning has been issued for Balasore, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam districts for heavy rainfall at one or two places.
The intensity is likely to reduce slightly from July 17. On this day, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack districts will be under Orange Warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places. A Yellow Warning has been issued for most parts of the state including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh for heavy rainfall at one or two places.
By July 18, rainfall activity is expected to further subside. The IMD has issued a Yellow Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts where heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places.
The weather department has advised the public to keep track of further updates and has urged district administrations to stay prepared for possible waterlogging, localized flooding and traffic disruptions.
With the sea already rough and a fishermen warning in place till July 18, coastal residents have also been asked to remain cautious.
