Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rain warnings for several districts of Odisha during the upcoming festive celebrations of Ganesh Puja and Nuakhai, cautioning the public of potential weather disruptions on August 27 and 28.
According to the IMD’s mid-day weather bulletin, an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over the northwest Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha–West Bengal coasts, between 1.5 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region within the next 48 hours, which could trigger widespread rainfall activity across the state.
In anticipation of the system’s impact, the IMD has issued an ‘Orange’ warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph. These conditions are very likely to occur at one or two places across various districts of Odisha on August 27 and 28, coinciding with Ganesh Puja and Nuakhai festivities.
A ‘Yellow’ warning has also been issued for the districts of Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, and Malkangiri, where heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected on both days.
Further, the IMD has extended the ‘Yellow’ warning to August 29 and 30, predicting continued rainfall activity in parts of western and southern Odisha. Heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds are very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Sundargarh.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds are also forecast for Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri during the same period.
The IMD has advised residents, especially those living in low-lying and vulnerable areas, to remain alert and take necessary precautions during the festive period.
