Low Pressure Intensifies into Depression, Odisha Braces for Heavy Rainfall

A clearly marked low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal near southeast Gangetic West Bengal and adjacent Bangladesh coast has intensified into a depression, triggering widespread rainfall across Odisha.

The system is expected to move west-northwestward in the next 24 hours, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

Due to its impact, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh districts have been issued warnings, as heavy rainfall accompanied by wind speeds of 40–50 km/h and lightning is anticipated. In the past 24 hours, Keonjhar’s Telkoi region recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 12.4 cm, while 17 cities across Odisha saw heavy to very heavy showers.

Rainfall exceeding 10 cm was observed in Sundargarh’s Rajgangpur, Deogarh’s Riamal, and Sundargarh’s Baragaon. Similarly, districts including Sambalpur, Bolangir, Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Balasore, and Jajpur reported strong downpour episodes.

The wet spell is predicted to continue until July 18. The Meteorological Centre has issued yellow warnings for Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur due to expected rainfall and winds reaching 30–40 km/h.

Since June 1, Odisha has recorded 457.4 mm of rainfall, 28% higher than the normal average of 357.4 mm. Districts like Boudh, Deogarh, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj have witnessed excessive rainfall, while Cuttack, Kendrapara, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, and Balasore received above-normal showers. Only Gajapati and Nuapada experienced rainfall deficiency, with 11 districts recording normal rainfall.

IMD Director Manorama Mohanty urged residents to stay alert and avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas during this period.