Odisha is grappling with intense rainfall driven by a southwest monsoon-induced low-pressure system stretching from Ganganagar to the northeast Bay of Bengal.
A cyclonic circulation over the Gangetic West Bengal delta, extending up to 5.8 km above sea level, has fueled heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state, causing waterlogging and flood-like situations in several areas.
In the past 24 hours, TH Rampur in Kalahandi district recorded the highest rainfall at 9.6 cm, followed by Nandapur, Lamtaput, and Pottangi in Koraput district with 6–9 cm. Districts like Bargarh, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Sundargarh have also been hit by very heavy rainfall.
Bhubaneswar, the state capital, is facing severe waterlogging, with areas like Badagada resembling flood zones as sewage water has inundated homes and roads have been dug up for drainage.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow warning for Saturday, July 5, forecasting heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Deogarh.
Additionally, districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, and Bargarh are likely to experience thunderstorms, winds of 30–40 kmph, and continued rainfall.
“The intensity and spread of rainfall are expected to decrease from July 8,” said Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre.
From June 1 to July 4, Odisha recorded 318.7 mm of rainfall, 29% above the normal 247.4 mm. Districts like Deogarh, Koraput, Sonepur, Boudh, and Sundargarh saw excessive rainfall, while Gajapati, Nuapada, and Puri experienced deficient rainfall. Other districts, including Cuttack and Mayurbhanj, recorded above-normal rainfall, with northern Odisha, particularly Mayurbhanj, facing flood-like conditions after receiving over 300 mm of rain.
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, and to follow local advisories to mitigate risks from thunderstorms and gusty winds.
