Bhubaneswar: With a well-marked low-pressure system persisting over north Jharkhand and adjoining south Bihar, Odisha continues to brace for heavy rainfall and stormy weather over the next five days. The Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued an advisory to all Collectors across the state to remain alert and ensure readiness to manage any emergency arising from the adverse weather conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s Special Weather Bulletin, the depression that formed earlier has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area and is expected to gradually move west-northwestward towards eastern Uttar Pradesh within the next 24 hours. However, its impact on Odisha remains significant, especially in northern and western districts.
The SRC has flagged IMD’s Orange Warning for districts like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) through the night and into Wednesday morning.
Several other districts — including Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Jajpur, and parts of coastal Odisha — have been placed under Yellow Warnings, where heavy rainfall, thunderstorm activity, and lightning are also expected intermittently over the next five days.
From July 16 to July 20, the SRC warns of persistent rainfall, localised thunderstorms, and squally winds gusting up to 50 kmph in parts of north Odisha. The advisory highlights the vulnerability of mud houses, landslide-prone slopes, and low-lying urban areas, urging residents to take safe shelter during thunderstorms and avoid waterlogged zones.
Collectors in affected districts have been asked to keep administrative machinery on standby, especially in areas that are prone to flooding or lightning strikes. They have also been directed to submit damage reports promptly in case of any destruction due to flooding, heavy rain, or lightning.
The SRC emphasised public safety measures, urging citizens to monitor weather updates closely and refrain from venturing out during intense storm activity, particularly near trees, open fields, or waterbodies.
