Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a ‘Red’ warning for Odisha, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph in isolated places over the next 24 hours.
According to the IMD’s mid-day weather bulletin, a low-pressure area has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north Odisha under the influence of a cyclonic circulation. The system, located at 08:30 IST on July 6, extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilts southwestward with height. It is expected to move slowly in a west-northwestward direction across Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh over the next two to three days.
The IMD has specifically warned of extremely heavy rainfall in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur, placing them under a ‘Red’ warning for the next 24 hours.
An ‘Orange’ warning has also been issued for the districts of Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi, where very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected.
Meanwhile, a ‘Yellow’ warning has been issued for Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms likely in isolated areas.
The IMD has further predicted the continuation of very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in several parts of Odisha between July 8 and 12.
Residents are advised to remain alert and follow updates from local authorities.
