The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple warnings for Odisha as a well‑marked low-pressure area persists over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha–West Bengal coasts.
The system, active since July 16, is expected to move northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal over the next two days.
The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestwards with height. The monsoon trough now passes through Jammu, Bareilly, Basti, Daltonganj, and the centre of the low-pressure area before stretching east‑southeastwards towards the northeast Bay of Bengal.
Heavy rainfall has lashed several districts, with extremely heavy showers recorded in Angul and Cuttack. Banki and Angul registered 21 cm each, while Talcher recorded 19 cm. Other districts including Dhenkanal, Nayagada, Kendujhar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Kandhamala, Balangir, Sonepur, Bhadrak, Khordha, and Puri also reported heavy to very heavy rainfall.
IMD Warnings
- Day 1 (July 16–17):
- Red Warning: Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy showers likely in Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Sonepur, and Boudhagada.
- Orange Warning: Heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nawrangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Puri, Khordha, Nayagada.
- Yellow Warning: Heavy rainfall in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Ganjam.
- Day 2 (July 17–18): Orange warning for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Bargada, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Nuapada, Balangir.
- Day 3–5 (July 18–21): Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall in northern and western districts including Baleshwar, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada Sambalpur, Debagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudhagada, Nuapada, Balangir.
Expected Impact
- Localised flooding and waterlogging in urban areas
- Traffic disruption and reduced visibility
- Minor damage to kutcha roads and vulnerable structures
- Landslides/mudslides in hilly regions
- Damage to standing crops and horticulture due to inundation
Authorities have urged residents to avoid waterlogged areas, follow traffic advisories, and stay away from vulnerable structures.
