Odisha continues to experience widespread rainfall as a low-pressure system over north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts keeps the monsoon active. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed several districts under a yellow warning, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning over the next few days.
Yellow Alert Issued for Multiple Districts
According to the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, heavy showers were recorded across most coastal, western, and southern districts in the past 24 hours.
Districts including Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi are likely to witness intense rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunder. Heavy downpours are also forecast for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Cuttack.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until further notice due to rough conditions and strong winds.
Fresh System Developing Around September 20
IMD has cautioned that another weather system is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around September 20, which may evolve into a low-pressure area or cyclonic circulation, further prolonging Odisha’s wet spell.
The current system is expected to intensify and move west-northwestwards towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Chhattisgarh over the next 48 hours, keeping the state under an active monsoon phase.
La Niña Phase Raises Cyclone Concerns for October
Meteorologists have also highlighted a worrying long-term trend: a moderate La Niña phase is projected to emerge by late September. This phenomenon could increase the probability of October cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, a period that historically sees severe storms making landfall along Odisha’s coast.
This is the 12th low-pressure system of the current monsoon season, which has already triggered widespread flooding in several northern and southern districts of the state.
