Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal Odisha and West Bengal within the next 24 hours.
This development is attributed to an upper air cyclonic circulation. As a result, Odisha is likely to witness continued spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
In its midday weather bulletin, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for July 14, predicting heavy to very heavy rain, along with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph. The warning is applicable to Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts.
A Yellow Warning has also been issued for July 14 for the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Angul, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, and Sambalpur, where heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected. Additionally, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Gajapati may also experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.
For July 15, an Orange Warning remains in effect for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
A Yellow Warning for the same day has been issued for Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Deogarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi, with chances of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Gajapati may also see thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.
Further, the IMD has placed a Yellow Warning across several districts from July 16 to July 19, anticipating continued heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds in parts of the state.
The IMD has advised residents, especially in vulnerable and low-lying areas, to remain alert and take necessary precautions during this period of intense weather activity.
