The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a weather alert forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha until August 29, driven by an active cyclonic circulation over the north-east Bay of Bengal and the West Bengal-Odisha coast.
According to Director Manorama Mohanty, this system is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area within the next 48 hours, triggering widespread rainfall across the state.
In the past 24 hours, Odisha recorded 20% below-normal rainfall, with TH Rampur in Kalahandi district registering the highest at 7.5 cm. Heavy rainfall was also reported in parts of Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, and Koraput districts. The weather department has warned of continued rainfall, with specific alerts for various districts.
On Tuesday, August 26, an orange warning for very heavy rainfall has been issued for Gajapati and Rayagada, while a yellow warning for heavy rainfall covers Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, and Malkangiri districts. Other parts of Odisha are likely to experience rain with thunderstorms and lightning.
On Wednesday, August 27, Nayagarh and Kandhamal are under an orange warning, with a yellow warning for Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Boudh, Koraput, and Malkangiri. The rest of the state is under a thunderstorm and rain alert.
The forecast indicates persistent rain with thunderstorms across Odisha on August 28 and 29, with a relatively lesser impact in northern Odisha, according to Director Mohanty. Authorities have advised residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions, especially in districts under orange and yellow warnings.
