The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a low-pressure system forming over the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal on August 13, which is expected to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha from August 12 to 14.
The regional weather centre in Bhubaneswar has issued an orange warning for South Odisha, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in districts like Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Koraput, while a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms has been issued for several other districts.
According to IMD scientist Sanjeev Dwivedi, the low-pressure system will intensify rainfall activity, particularly in South Odisha, starting Monday. Over the past 24 hours, Jhumpura in Keonjhar district recorded the highest rainfall at 5 mm, while other areas saw less than 4 cm. From August 12, rainfall is expected to increase significantly, with an orange warning issued for extremely heavy rain across the state. On Tuesday, districts like Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Koraput are under an orange warning for very heavy rainfall, while Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khordha, Puri, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar face a yellow warning for heavy rain. Additionally, 14 districts are under a yellow warning for rain accompanied by thunderstorms.
The heavy rainfall is expected to continue in South Odisha on Wednesday and Thursday, with isolated areas likely to experience very heavy downpours. By Friday, August 15, the intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease, though a yellow warning for rain with thunderstorms persists in parts of South Odisha.
This monsoon season, Odisha has recorded 647.2 mm of rainfall from June 1 to July 10, which is 4% below the normal average of 677 mm. Districts like Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj have seen below-normal rainfall, with nine districts facing a deficit and 17 others recording normal rainfall.
Authorities are advising residents, particularly in South Odisha, to stay alert and prepare for potential disruptions due to the impending heavy rainfall.
