The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded red and orange warnings for several districts of Odisha as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a depression, bringing the threat of extremely heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions.
According to the IMD bulletin, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangpur districts have been placed under a red warning, with forecasts of rainfall up to 20 cm at isolated places. The heavy downpour is expected to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging from 30–40 kmph.
The IMD’s regional centre in Bhubaneswar cautioned that the intense showers could trigger flooding in low-lying areas, urban waterlogging, and road communication disruptions, particularly in interior blocks and hilly regions.
In addition, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Kalahandi districts are under an orange alert, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted. These regions may experience swollen rivers and flash floods due to continuous precipitation.
A yellow warning has also been issued for several other coastal and central districts, predicting heavy showers at isolated locations along with thunderstorms and lightning. While the rain intensity here is expected to be lower than southern Odisha, officials have urged caution.
The current spell of rainfall is likely to persist until August 20 morning, with the depression sustaining widespread showers across Odisha. The system, which formed over the Bay of Bengal between north Andhra Pradesh and the south Odisha coast, is gradually strengthening, IMD said.
Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert, and district administrations have been put on standby for possible emergency response.
