The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Odisha, particularly targeting the northern coastal and interior districts, from Sunday, July 13, to Wednesday, July 16.
This alert is attributed to a trough line extending from south-west Uttar Pradesh to the northwest Bay of Bengal, passing through south Uttar Pradesh and north Haryana.
Additionally, a cyclonic circulation situated over north-east Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, at 0.9 km above sea level, is intensifying monsoon activity across the region.
According to meteorologist Rajshree VPM, Odisha recorded 55% less rainfall than normal in the past 24 hours. However, starting Sunday, the state is expected to experience widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Certain areas may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. In the last 24 hours, Nayagarh’s Ranpur recorded the highest rainfall at 5.8 cm, followed by Cuttack’s Banki at 5.5 cm and Khordha’s Bolagarh at 5.2 cm. Except for Gajapati, most districts recorded rainfall between 0 to 5 cm.
A yellow warning has been issued for Sunday, forecasting heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning across the state. Districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar are likely to experience heavy rainfall and lightning. Meanwhile, light rainfall with thunderstorms is expected in Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Deogarh, Bargarh, Jajpur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh.
The warning extends until July 16, with continuous rainfall expected in northern coastal and interior districts. After a brief decline in rainfall over the past two days, meteorologists predict a significant increase in monsoon activity. Between June 1 and July 12, Odisha recorded 416.7 mm of rainfall, 29% above the normal average of 323.6 mm. Districts like Deogarh, Koraput, Boudh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Mayurbhanj have seen excessive rainfall, while Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bargarh recorded below-normal rainfall. Gajapati, Nuapada, and Puri experienced deficient rainfall, with other districts reporting normal levels.
The Meteorological Department has advised residents to seek safe shelter during lightning strikes. District collectors have been instructed by the Special Relief Commissioner to remain vigilant and prepared for potential emergencies.
