A low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal, along the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh, has intensified, extending up to 7.6 km above sea level. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, this system is likely to move west-northwest towards north Odisha, the Gangetic plains of West Bengal, and Jharkhand over the next two days. Coupled with an active southwest monsoon and a trough line stretching from Firozpur to the Bay of Bengal, this weather pattern is causing persistent rainfall across Odisha.
In the past 24 hours, Chandua in Mayurbhanj district recorded the highest rainfall at 32 cm, with other areas in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Sundargarh also experiencing heavy downpours. The Regional Meteorological Centre Director, Manorama Mohanty, has warned of continued heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, across most districts of Odisha for the next week due to the low-pressure system’s influence.
Orange Warning Issued: On Monday, June 30, an orange warning for very heavy rainfall has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda districts. A yellow warning for heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is in place for Bargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, and Boudh districts. The warnings will remain in effect until July 7, with rainfall intensity and spread expected to increase from July 8.
Rainfall Trends in June: Between June 1 and June 29, Odisha recorded 229 mm of rainfall, 14% above the normal 201.4 mm. Districts like Jagatsinghpur, Boudh, Sonepur, and Mayurbhanj saw significantly higher-than-normal rainfall, while Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh, and Balasore recorded below-normal rainfall. Deficient rainfall was noted in Gajapati, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, and Jajpur, with the remaining 14 districts experiencing normal rainfall. Despite the overall surplus, continued rainfall may push June’s figures further above normal, according to Director Mohanty.
Fishermen Advisory: Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea from June 28 to July 1 due to rough sea conditions caused by the active weather system.
As Odisha prepares for a week of intense rainfall, residents are urged to stay updated on weather alerts and take necessary precautions to mitigate potential impacts on daily life and infrastructure.
