Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a significant intensification of rainfall across Odisha from August 13 to August 17, with Red warnings being issued for extremely heavy rain in coastal and northern districts.
As per IMD reports, a low-pressure area has formed over the north Bay of Bengal close to the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast at 5:30 am today. It is likely to become a well-marked low pressure are over the same region during the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it is likely to concentrate into depression and move northwestwards across West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts during subsequent 24 hours. Under the impact of low-pressure, Odisha is likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall.
The regional weather department has urged people in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
On August 13, a Red warning has been issued for extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places over Baleshwar and Bhadrak districts. An Orange alert is in place for heavy to very heavy rain in Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal.
Besides, thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph is also likely at isolated places in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola and Jagatsinghpur.
A Yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Subarnapur, Boudh, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Thunderstorm and gusty winds are also forecast in Jajpur, Kataka, Baragada, Dhenkanal and several southern and western districts including Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
On August 14, the Red warning shifts to Kendujhar district for extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places. An Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain has been issued for Baleshwar, Jajpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj.
Heavy rainfall is likely in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Baragada, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada. The IMD has also forecast thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada districts.
Rainfall activity is expected to decrease slightly from August 15. A Yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph is also likely in these seven districts.
A similar weather pattern will continue on August 16 with a Yellow warning for heavy rainfall and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.
On August 17, heavy rainfall is very likely at one or two places in Sundaragada and Jharsuguda. Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty surface wind with speed reaching up to 30-40 kmph is also likely in these two western Odisha districts.
The IMD has advised residents in Red and Orange alert districts to stay away from weak structures, and follow instructions from local authorities. Farmers have also been asked to take precautionary measures to protect crops.
