Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecasted widespread rainfall activity across Odisha, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds likely to continue in various parts of the state until July 26.
According to the IMD, a trough extending from the central parts of north Bihar to Odisha across Jharkhand continues to persist and is currently observed between 0.9 km and 1.5 km above mean sea level. Additionally, an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the south Odisha–north coastal Andhra Pradesh–Yanam region, at around 3.1 km above mean sea level.
Due to these conditions, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places across Odisha over the coming days, along with localised heavy rain and thunderstorm activity.
Yellow Warning for July 21: Heavy rain, thunderstorm with lightning, and gusty surface wind (30–40 kmph) are very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nuapada, and Malkangiri.
Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty wind (30–40 kmph) is also likely at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, and Bolangir.
Yellow Warning for July 22–23: Heavy rain and thunderstorms are very likely at isolated places in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Nuapada. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind may occur at one or two places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Rayagada.
Orange and Yellow Warnings for July 24–25: An orange warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorm with lightning, and gusty wind at isolated places in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. A yellow warning has also been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, where heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely.
Yellow Warning for July 26: Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places across Odisha on July 26.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert and take necessary precautions, especially in areas under warning zones.
