Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for several districts in Odisha as a well-marked low-pressure area continues to persist over the northwest Bay of Bengal, just off the north Odisha coast. As of 8.30 am on Wednesday, the cyclonic circulation extended up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestwards with height.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards, affecting north Odisha, adjoining Jharkhand, and north Chhattisgarh over the next 24 hours.
According to the mid-day weather bulletin, the IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph at one or two places over the districts of Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack.
Additionally, a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms with similar wind speeds has been issued for the districts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Boudh, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Sundargarh, Balasore, and Kendrapara.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also expected in the districts of Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada, with a yellow warning in effect.
The IMD has further cautioned that thunderstorms with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph may continue in various parts of Odisha until September 8.
Residents are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions as heavy rainfall and storms may cause disruptions and hazards in the affected regions.
