Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecast a week of unsettled weather for Odisha, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms likely across the state. The bulletin, issued today, has activated a Yellow Warning (Be Aware) for most districts over the next several days, urging residents to stay vigilant.
The current weather pattern is influenced by a trough that has now become less marked, but its after-effects continue to trigger precipitation.
The IMD has also indicated the likelihood of a new upper air cyclonic circulation forming over the north Bay of Bengal around October 10th, which could influence weather patterns further.
The bulletin highlighted significant rainfall in the past 24 hours, with heavy rain reported in the northern districts of Keonjhar and Kendrapara. Aul in Kendrapara district recorded the highest rainfall of 10 cm, followed by Champua in Keonjhar at 8 cm. Several other districts, including Gajapati, Jajpur, Cuttack, and Nayagarh, received substantial rainfall between 3 to 6 cm.
Five-Day Forecast and Warnings:
The IMD’s day-by-day forecast outlines a persistent pattern of rain and thunderstorms:
Day 1 (Today): Light to moderate rain is very likely at a few places over Coastal Odisha and several interior districts. A Yellow Warning for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) is in effect for 23 districts, including Balasore, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj.
Day 2 (Oct 9-10): The warning level remains Yellow. Isolated heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) is predicted for Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara. Thunderstorms with gusty winds are also expected in a wider zone covering coastal and northern interior districts.
Day 3 (Oct 10-11): The focus of heavy rain shifts slightly southwards, with a Yellow Warning for isolated heavy falls in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
Day 4 (Oct 11-12): The southern districts of Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput are expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall under a Yellow Warning.
Day 5 (Oct 12-13): The intensity decreases, with only light to moderate rain expected in coastal and southern regions. No warnings have been issued for this day yet.
From Day 6 onwards, the weather is expected to become drier, especially in north Odisha, with “no large change” anticipated in the subsequent three days.
The IMD has advised the public to “be aware” of the changing weather conditions. The recurring threats of lightning and sudden gusty winds pose risks to life and property. Farmers have been advised to take note of the weather conditions for their activities over the next 24 hours.
For Bhubaneswar and its neighbourhood, the forecast for the next 24 hours predicts a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of rain or a thunderstorm. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 33°C and 25°C, respectively.
The bulletin also assured that no warnings are in effect for fishermen along the Odisha coast for the next five days, indicating favourable sea conditions.
