Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a multi-day alert for Odisha, forecasting widespread rainfall and the potential formation of a depression over the Bay of Bengal later this week.
The weather system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rains, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to most parts of the state starting today.
According to the midday bulletin released by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, a low-pressure area currently lies over the northeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to move west-northwestwards towards the northwest Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours.
More significantly, a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form around September 25th, intensifying into a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal by September 26th.
The system is very likely to cross the coasts of South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh around September 27th.
In light of this developing situation, the IMD has issued a series of colour-coded warnings for all 30 districts of Odisha over the next seven days.
Day 1 & 2 (Today & Tomorrow): An Orange Warning (Be Prepared) for heavy to very heavy rain is in effect for districts including Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur. A Yellow Warning (Be Aware) for heavy rain and thunderstorms covers most other districts.
Day 3 to 5: The alert level remains high, with Orange Warnings being issued for the southern districts of Koraput and Malkangiri from Day 4 onwards, indicating the expected track of the system.
Day 6 & 7: Warnings are expected to gradually scale down to a Yellow Alert for isolated heavy rain in western districts.
The IMD has outlined significant potential impacts, including damage to standing crops, vulnerable structures, power lines, and roads. Localized flooding, waterlogging in urban areas, traffic disruptions, and landslides in vulnerable zones are also anticipated.
IMD has advised citizens to stay indoors, avoid travel during heavy rain, and not take shelter under trees. People in vulnerable structures near the coast are advised to be ready to move to safer places. The public is also urged to check for traffic advisories and avoid waterlogged areas.
A major warning has been issued for fishermen. Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is forecast along and off the Odisha coast from September 22nd to 26th. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea during this period.
