Bhubaneswar: A shifting monsoon trough, passing through northern regions down to the Northeast Bay of Bengal, is set to intensify rainfall activity in Odisha, posing new challenges to the state still recovering from recent flooding.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rain is likely to resume at one or two places in the districts of Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 21.
Heavy rain may continue in Baleshwar, Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 22. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (30-40 kmph) may also occur in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada on these two days.
The intensity of downpour may increase on August 23 with orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain issued for one or two places in the district of Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Heavy rain may continue to lash Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola and Dhenkanal. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (30-40 kmph) may also occur in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
On August 24, heavy rain is expected in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorm activity with wind speed of 30-40 kmph may continue in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.
The weather agency also warned of heavy rain in Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhan on August 25; and Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj on August 26, with no large change thereafter.
It further stated that the intense rain spells could trigger localised waterlogging in low-lying areas and urban underpasses, causing potential traffic disruptions in major cities. Residents in vulnerable structures have been advised to exercise caution. Furthermore, landslides or mudslides are possible in hilly terrain, along with risks of minor damage to standing crops and horticulture.