Bhubaneswar: A fresh low-pressure area formed over Northwest Bay of Bengal in early hours of Sunday, according the latest updated by the India Meteorological Department.
The system took shape under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the North Bay of Bengal off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, and has triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha with Thuamool Rampur in Kalahandi district recording the state’s highest rainfall at a staggering 345 mm in the last 24 hours. Severe downpours were also registered in Gunupur in Rayagada district at 260 mm, Kashipur in Rayagada at 212 mm, and Jaipatna in Kalahandi at 200 mm.
According to IMD bulletin, one or two places in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Sunday, and a few places in Sundaragada and Sambalpur districts are expected to witness similar conditions on Monday.
During the same period, a yellow warning of heavy rainfall has been issued for the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Sonpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind may occur at one or two places over the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
On August 24-25, an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain has been sounded for Sundaragada, and Sambalpur districts, while a yellow alert was issued for Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Balangir districts.
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph and gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to prevail over the Northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, as well as along and off the coasts of West Bengal, adjoining Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh till August 24. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough in these areas during the same period. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal or along and off the West Bengal-Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh coasts until August 24.
The looming wet spell comes at a critical time for Odisha, where close to one million people across six districts have already been impacted by recent floods. Although major rivers, including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, and Jalaka, were flowing below danger marks as of Saturday noon, state authorities remain on high alert.
Earlier speaking to the media, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil noted that while the situation is currently under control, administrations in 19 districts have been instructed to maintain full readiness for potential emergency responses as thundershowers approach. Four senior officials, including three IAS officers, have been deployed in affected districts including Kendrapada for effective flood management. Additionally, 86 rescue teams comprising 32 ODRAF, eight NDRF and 46 Fire and Emergency Services units remain stationed in the flood-hit areas to oversee rescue and relief operations.
