Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience a prolonged spell of rain and thunderstorms over the next seven days as a low-pressure area persists over Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned in its midday bulletin issued on Wednesday.
The weather system, located over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand, is supported by a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level. The system is expected to move slowly west-northwestwards across Jharkhand and North Chhattisgarh over the next 48 hours, influencing rainfall patterns in Odisha.
The monsoon trough, currently passing through Amritsar, Kanpur, Daltonganj, and the low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal, extends southeastward to the northeast Bay of Bengal. Multiple troughs at varying altitudes are also influencing the region, including a significant one extending from northeast Arabian Sea to interior Odisha.
Light to moderate rainfall occurred across several districts of North Odisha, while heavy to very heavy showers were recorded in Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, and Sundargarh in the last 24 hours.
Forecast and Warnings: July 9–16
The IMD has issued a Yellow Warning (Be Aware) for all seven days, with specific alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds (30–40 kmph), and isolated heavy rain.
Day 1 (Till July 10 Morning):
Heavy rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds likely in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur.
Thunderstorms with lightning expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda, and others.
Day 2–4 (July 10 to July 13):
Light to moderate rain expected in several districts.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds forecast for over 20 districts daily, including Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kendrapara, Nayagarh and others.
Day 5 (July 13–14):
Heavy rain with thunderstorms likely in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar.
Lightning and gusty wind warnings continue across coastal and interior districts.
Day 6 & 7 (July 14–16):
Widespread light to moderate rain likely.
Heavy rain at one or two locations statewide.
The IMD has urged residents, especially in the northern and western districts, to stay alert for potential waterlogging, lightning strikes, and gusty winds over the coming days. Farmers, daily commuters, and district administrations have been advised to plan accordingly and take precautionary measures.
