A low-pressure system currently active over Jharkhand and the Gangetic West Bengal region is set to keep Odisha wet for the coming days.
The system is moving west-northwestwards through Jharkhand and is expected to head towards north Chhattisgarh. Within the next 12 hours, it is likely to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area.
Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty said the system’s influence will bring rain across the entire state over the next 24 hours, prompting the weather office to issue necessary alerts.
Yellow warnings have been issued for several districts. Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning, with winds gusting at 30-40 kmph.
A similar yellow alert covers Nuapada, Balangir, Sonpur, Boudh, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kataka, Bhadrak, Baleshwar, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapada, where heavy rain with thunder and winds of the same speed is likely.
The remaining districts can expect light to moderate rain, with isolated heavy spells possible. Rain intensity is expected to decrease from Saturday onwards, though showers will continue across the state until August 18.
Looking ahead, some weather models indicate the possibility of a cyclonic circulation developing over the north Bay of Bengal by August 19. This could lead to the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal around August 20. Officials cautioned that the picture is still unclear and clearer updates will follow.
As a precaution, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea on August 14 and 15.
This year’s monsoon has already been generous. From June 1 to August 14, Odisha has recorded 921.9 mm of rainfall — 27 per cent above the normal. On Saturday alone, extremely heavy rain lashed six places and heavy rain was recorded at 19 locations. The highest amount was 128 mm at Lathikata in Sundargarh district.
Residents, especially in the warned districts, are advised to stay updated with official bulletins, avoid waterlogged areas, and take necessary precautions against strong winds and lightning.
