The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned of intensified rainfall across Odisha, placing multiple districts under red, orange, and yellow alerts as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen into a depression.
The regional weather office in Bhubaneswar said widespread rain will continue till August 23, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
Depression Near Odisha-Andhra Coast
A well-marked low-pressure area persisted over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, on Monday. The associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 9.6 km above mean sea level, with a southwestward tilt in higher altitudes. According to IMD, the system is expected to intensify into a depression and cross the Odisha-Andhra coast by Tuesday forenoon.
The monsoon trough running from Gujarat to the Bay of Bengal is further feeding the rain-bearing system, leading to heavy downpours in most districts.
District-Wise Alerts
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Red Warning (Extremely Heavy Rainfall): Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur.
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Orange Warning (Very Heavy Rainfall): Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal.
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Yellow Warning (Heavy Rainfall & Thunderstorms): Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Nayagarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Boudh, and others.
Northern and western districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Mayurbhanj are also likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
Authorities have been urged to prepare for possible flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Malkangiri Faces Severe Flooding
Malkangiri district is bearing the worst impact of the rains, with major roads and bridges submerged, disrupting connectivity with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
Traffic on National Highway-326 came to a halt after stretches near Poteru and Kankarakonda were submerged under 4–5 feet of water. The Kanyashram bridge on the Kalimela–Podia route was inundated by nearly six feet of floodwater, stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Residential areas in Malkangiri town reported waterlogging, with rainwater entering homes and forcing several families to shift to safer places.
Forecast
IMD has predicted that heavy to extremely heavy rain will continue across Odisha at least till August 23, keeping several districts under continuous alert.
