Odisha is set to experience significant weather changes as two well-marked low-pressure systems, one over northwest Rajasthan and another over south-west Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, are influencing widespread rainfall across eastern and southern India.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, most districts in Odisha will witness rain accompanied by heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph over the next two days. A yellow warning has been issued for 23 districts, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected from July 21.
In the past 24 hours, rainfall across the state has slightly decreased, with Baripada in Mayurbhanj recording the highest at 82.2 mm. Only two locations reported heavy to very heavy rainfall. Districts like Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, and Boudh saw above-normal rainfall, while Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Gajapati, and Cuttack recorded normal precipitation. Eleven districts experienced light to moderate rainfall.
A yellow warning for thunderstorms and rain has been issued for Thursday, covering districts such as Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, and Gajapati. The forecast indicates continued thunderstorms until July 20, with heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings from July 21.
Since June 1, Odisha has recorded 464.8 mm of rainfall, 25% above the normal 370.9 mm. Deogarh, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj have seen significantly high rainfall, while districts like Cuttack, Kendrapara, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Keonjhar, Boudh, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Bargarh recorded above-normal rainfall. Gajapati, Nuapada, and Puri reported deficient rainfall, with other districts experiencing normal precipitation.
Residents are urged to stay cautious, particularly in low-lying areas, as the state prepares for a week of persistent rainfall.
