Monsoon activity in Odisha is set to intensify over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall across various parts of the state from September 9 to September 12.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has advised residents to take precautions against lightning and localised waterlogging.
District-Wise Rainfall Forecast
According to the forecast bulletin issued on September 8, heavy downpours will affect northern, north-eastern, and southern districts:
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September 9: An Orange Warning for very heavy rainfall, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 km/h, has been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Baleshwar. Yellow warnings remain active for surrounding regions.
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September 10 (Wednesday): Heavy rain (7–11 cm) with wind speeds of 30–40 km/h will continue in Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Baleshwar, and Bhadrak. Orange alerts remain in place for Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar as rainfall intensity peaks.
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September 11: Rain activity will shift southward. Koraput is under an Orange Alert for very heavy downpours, while Yellow Warnings cover central and southern districts including Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Malkangiri. Rainfall in northern districts is expected to subside from this date.
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September 12 & Beyond: Isolated heavy showers will persist across southern and central Odisha under a Yellow Warning. Weather conditions are expected to improve significantly from September 13 onward, with no major alerts in place.
Weather System & Recent Statistics
In the last 24 hours, Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 4.3 mm, which is 45% below the daily normal of 7.8 mm. However, intense local spells were recorded in specific pockets, led by Chandua in Mayurbhanj district, with a peak 155 mm of rainfall. Significant rain was also reported in parts of Nabarangpur, Gajapati, and Balasore.
While no active low-pressure area currently exists over the Bay of Bengal, meteorologists project that a cyclonic circulation will develop over the North Bay of Bengal or off the South Odisha–Andhra Pradesh coast between September 9 and 13, potentially consolidating into a weak low-pressure system.
Safety Advisory Issued
The Meteorological Centre has urged the public to stay indoors during thunderstorm activity and watch out for waterlogging in low-lying areas. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea due to rough conditions and strong wind speeds.
