Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area over the northwest-westcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts is likely to become more marked and move west-northwestwards across south Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday evening.
The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 9.4 km above mean sea level and tilts southwestwards with height, according to the latest update. The system is expected to influence weather conditions across Odisha, with the state likely to receive widespread rainfall over the next 24 hours.
The IMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places across all districts of Odisha till 8.30 am on Saturday. An Orange Warning has been issued for Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at one or two places.
A Yellow Warning has also been issued for heavy rainfall at one or two places in Baleshwar, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph are likely at one or two places in Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada. Winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in several northern and coastal districts.
The weather system could trigger localised flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, closure of underpasses, traffic disruption, reduced visibility and minor damage to kutcha roads and vulnerable structures. The IMD has also warned of possible landslides/mudslides and damage to horticulture and standing crops due to inundation. Riverine flooding is also possible in some river catchments.
The weather office has advised people to avoid waterlogged areas and vulnerable structures and to follow traffic advisories. During thunderstorms, people have been advised to remain indoors, avoid taking shelter under trees, unplug electrical appliances and immediately move out of water bodies.
The system is likely to keep Odisha wet beyond Saturday, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers forecast at many places across the state on Sunday. A Yellow Warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput, while thunderstorms with gusty winds are likely in several districts.
For Monday, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at a few places across Odisha, with a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in several northern and coastal districts.
For Bhubaneswar, the IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershower during the next 24 hours, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain around 31°C and 25°C, respectively.
Meanwhile, squally weather with winds of 40-50 kmph, occasionally gusting to 60 kmph, is likely along and off the Odisha coast for the next 18 hours. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough, and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.
The weather office has advised residents to closely monitor updates as the low-pressure system becomes more marked and moves west-northwestwards over south Odisha and adjoining north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
