Bhubaneswar: With the low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal set to intensify into a well-marked system, heavy to extremely heavy rain is likely to pound several parts of Odisha over the next five days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the low-pressure now lies over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-North Odisha Coasts. The system is likely to meander over the same region and become more marked during next 2-3 days.
Under its impact, the intensity of rainfall is expected to increase from Sunday, prompting the weather agency to issue a red warning for several districts.
In its weather bulletin, the IMD has issued a red alert for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka and Kendujhar districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places is very likely by the morning of Sunday.
Additinally, an orange warning has been issued for Baleshwar, Sundaragada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Boudhagad, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places during the period.
This apart, a yellow warning has been issued for Jharsuguda, Bargad, Sambalpur, Debagad, Sopur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala and Ganjam.
On July 26-27, a red warning of heavy to extremely heavy rain has been issued for Kendujhar district.
Similarly, an orange warning has been issued for Jajpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, and Mayurbhanj, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.
A yellow warning has been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Subarnapur, Boudhagada, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Puri, Khordha, Balangir and Nayagada for heavy rainfall.
On July 27-28, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Bargad, Sambalpur, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj will continue to be under an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall. Additionally, a yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Sonpur, Boudhagad, Balangir, Puri, Deogarh and Khordha.
The intensity of rain is expected to gradually ease from July 29, but heavy rain will persist. Bargad and Sonpur are under an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Nayagada are under a yellow warning.
A yellow warning has been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Bargad, Sambalpur, Sonpur and Balangir on July 30. For July 31 and August 1, Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj are likely to receive heavy rainfall.
The weather agency has advised people in the affected districts to remain vigilant, avoid waterlogged and low-lying areas, and follow instructions from local authorities.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea till July 27.
