Bhubaneswar: Odisha is expected to experience a rain-soaked Dussehra this year as a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds between October 1 and 3.
According to the IMD, an upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the north Andaman Sea on September 30. Under its influence, a low-pressure system is expected to form over the north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal around October 1. This weather disturbance is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify, bringing widespread rainfall to many parts of Odisha.
The Met office has predicted moderate to heavy showers over several interior and coastal districts starting from October 1, with the intensity expected to increase by October 2, coinciding with the Dussehra celebrations. The weather department has warned of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph.
On October 1, yellow warnings have been issued for thunderstorms and gusty winds over a wide range of districts including Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj.
For October 2, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds in southern Odisha districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam. Simultaneously, thunderstorm activity is likely to persist in many central and coastal districts, extending the yellow warning to a similar list of areas affected on the previous day.
The rainfall activity is expected to continue on October 3, with heavy downpours likely in parts of Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Bargarh districts, according to the IMD forecast.
In view of rough sea conditions, the IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea on October 1 and 2.
