Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across Odisha from August 11 to August 17.
While a Yellow ‘Be Aware’ warning is in place for most districts in the first two days, several western Odisha districts will come under an Orange ‘Be Prepared’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall from August 13.
For August 11, the IMD has issued a Yellow warning for heavy rainfall at one or two places over 21 districts including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface winds with speed reaching 30-40 kmph is also very likely at one or two places in these districts and in Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamala, Koraput and Malkangiri.
A Yellow warning continues for August 12. Heavy rain is likely at one or two places in 22 districts including coastal and western Odisha districts like Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kataka, Puri, Ganjam, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada and Sambalpur. Additionally, thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph is forecast at isolated places across 30 districts covering the entire state.
The weather is expected to intensify from August 13. An Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Kataka, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Anugola and Dhenkanal.
A Yellow warning for heavy rain persists in 18 other districts including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Baragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada. Additionally, thunderstorm and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely at isolated places in all districts.
Orange alert continues for heavy to very heavy rain in Jharsuguda, Baragada and Sambalpur on August 14. A Yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada and Balangir. Lightning and gusty winds are likely across the state.
For August 15, four districts has been issued Orange warning and these districts are Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada and Sambalpur – for heavy to very heavy rainfall. Besides, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh and Balangir under a Yellow warning. Thunderstorms with lightning and 30-40 kmph winds are forecast in coastal and southern districts as well.
On August 16, the intensity begins to reduce but Sambalpur will remain under Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain. A Yellow warning for heavy rainfall is in place for Sundaragada, Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur and Boudh.
Rain activity is expected to subside on August 17. A Yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued only for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghapur, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.
The IMD has advised people to stay alert, avoid open areas during thunderstorms, and keep a watch on weather updates as conditions may worsen.
As per IMD report, the upper air cyclonic circulation over northwest Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood persists and extends upto 7.6 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height. Under its influence, a Low Pressure Area is likely to form over the same region around August 12.
