Bhubaneswar: A depression persisted over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions of West Bengal and northern Odisha, approximately 180 km northeast of Baleshwar, on Monday.
The system is expected to track north-northwestward and subsequently northwestward across Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar over the next 24 hours.
Under its influence, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall lashed northern and interior Odisha over the last 24 hours. Bhogorai in Baleshwar recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 22 cm, while Mayurbhanj district experienced significant downpours, with Karanjia receiving 16 cm, and Kusumi, Kaptipada, and Joshipur each reporting 14 cm. The intense weather conditions have triggered localised flooding and waterlogging in low-lying urban areas, disrupted road transport, and heightened the risk of damage to power infrastructure, standing crops, and temporary or vulnerable structures. Meteorologists have sounded a low to moderate flash flood alert for watersheds across Balangir, Baleshwar, Baragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundaragada districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), severe weather will continue to impact Odisha over the next 48 hours with torrential rains and strong squalls sweeping across the state.
A red warning has been issued for Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj, which may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy downpours in isolated areas till 8.30 am on Tuesday. Heavy to very heavy rain may also occur in Baleshwar, Sundaragada, Jajpur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Anugola, and Dhenkanal. Similarly, a yellow warning is also active for isolated heavy falls in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Boudh, Sonpur, and Baragada.
Orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall continues for isolated areas in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, and Baragada during the subsequent 24 hours. Isolated heavy rainfall may also occur in Sambalpur, Debagada, Kendujhar, Sonpur, and Balangir.
Squally winds reaching speeds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are expected along and off the Odisha coast through August 18. Fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal or off the Odisha coast until August 18 due to rough to very rough sea conditions. Local Cautionary Signal No.-III (LC-III) remains hoisted at all Odisha ports