Bhubaneswar: Heavy downpours battered coastal districts of Odisha in the last 24 hours, ending at 8 am on August 6, under the influence of an cyclonic circulation over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal coasts.
According to the India Meteorological Department, light to moderate rainfall occurred across most districts, with heavy falls concentrated in isolated pockets of Khordha, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kataka, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Baleshwar. Bhubaneswar recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 107.9 mm, closely followed by Jenapur in Jajpur at 106.8 mm, Pattamundai in Kendrapasa at 100 mm and Mahanga in Cuttack at 92 mm.
Within the state capital, Madhusudan Nagar logged 107 mm over a 12-hour period, with Nayapalli receiving 97.2 mm, Jagamohan Nagar 90.4 mm and Laxmisagar 90 mm, leading to knee-deep waterlogging in low-lying localities such as Shantipalli Basti in Saheed Nagar, GGP Colony and parts of Tarini and Jagannath bastis where rainwater entered homes overnight.
The system responsible for the intense weather activity also includes a monsoon trough passing through Firozpur, Rohtak, Shahjahanpur, Kanpur, Daltonganj, Digha, and extending east-southeastwards toward the Northeast Bay of Bengal.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places across all districts.
On August 6, an Orange Warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj district, where isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected. A yellow warning covers Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Sonpur, Boudh, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam for heavy rainfall. Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30–40 kmph are likely in isolated places across almost all districts.
On August 7, widespread light to moderate rainfall will continue across all districts. Mayurbhanj remains under an orange warning for isolated heavy to very heavy rain. A yellow warning for heavy rain continues for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Gajapati, and Ganjam. Thunderstorm activity with gusty winds up to 40 kmph is predicted across all state districts.
On August 8, rainfall is expected to taper slightly. However, yellow warning for heavy rainfall continues for isolated places in Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. There is also a forecast for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) across all districts.
On August 9, heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj. A Yellow Warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) has also been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
On August 10, rain or thundershowers are expected at many places over all districts. Heavy rainfall may also occur at isolated places in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj.
August 11, Light to moderate rain will continue at many places. A yellow warning for heavy rainfall covers Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) may also occur in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kataka, Jagatsinghpur, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
on August 12, isolated heavy rainfall may continue in Sundaragada, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj districts.
The weather department has cautioned residents regarding localised road flooding, urban waterlogging, reduced visibility, minor damage to vulnerable structures, and potential agricultural inundation in affected areas. Drivers and commuters are advised to monitor traffic updates and avoid waterlogged areas.
