The low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, currently active about 180 km northeast of Baleshwar.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, the system is expected to move northwestwards over Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand within 24 hours, bringing widespread heavy rainfall.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Balasore, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rain. Orange alerts are in place for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, and Dhenkanal, while other districts remain under yellow warning.
Officials warn that the depression could worsen the ongoing flood situation in northern Odisha, where over 5 lakh people have already been affected and more than 2.37 lakh relocated to safer places. Schools have been closed in several districts, and government employees’ leave has been cancelled to aid relief efforts.
The fishermen advisory remains strict: they are urged not to venture into the north Bay of Bengal and Odisha coast due to rough seas and strong winds. The administration continues to monitor embankments and vulnerable points, while IMD tracks the system’s movement closely.
