Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that, due to the depression over the Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, five districts are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday.
The latest weather update indicates that the system will likely move west-northwestwards and make landfall near Chilika Lake, south of Puri, as a depression in the early morning hours today, resulting in heavy rainfall across Odisha until July 23.
An orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Kandhamal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Bolangir, and Nuapada districts for today, with predictions of 70-100 mm of rain.
Additionally, heavy rainfall is anticipated today in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, and Balasore districts due to the depression.
The weather bulletin also states that Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Bargarh districts are expected to receive very heavy rainfall on July 21.
On July 22, heavy rainfall is likely in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal districts, with the pattern continuing into July 23.
The Special Relief Commissioner has instructed all district collectors to prepare for any eventualities due to the low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Districts with high rainfall forecasts have been advised to take precautionary measures. Orange warnings signal potential waterlogging and damage to kutcha roads and houses, prompting collectors to implement necessary actions.
Furthermore, Sarat Sahu, Director of IMD, has indicated that another low-pressure system is expected to form over North Odisha and Jharkhand on July 23.
It is noteworthy that several parts of Odisha witnessed rainfall activities under the influence of the depression. It would weaken gradually during the subsequent 24 hours, said IMD.
