Intense Spells Of Rain Continue In Odisha As Cyclone Michaung Weakens Into Well-Marked Low Pressure

Bhubaneswar: Intense spells of rain is continuing in several parts of coastal and adjoining interior districts of Odisha, including capital city of Bhubaneswar, under the influence of an active well-marked low pressure over northeast Telangana.

“The depression (remnant of cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’) over northeast Telangana and adjoining south Chhattisgarh-south Interior Odisha-Coastal Andhra Pradesh moved slowly north-northeastwards during past 6 hours and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over the same region at 8.30 am today,” the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre informed.

The system is likely to continue to move nearly north-northeastwards and weaken further into a low-pressure area during next 12 hours, it added.

According to MeT officials, the chances of rain havoc in Odisha districts were reduced as the severe cyclonic storm Michaung, which ripped through Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday afternoon, moved northwards.

Though there is no more cyclone threat for Odisha, Michaung’s remnants will cause heavy rain in some parts of the state during the day. The IMD has issued yellow warning of heavy rain for one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada. Light to moderate rain/thundershower is also likely at most places in South interior Odisha and at many places in remaining parts of the state.

The weather agency has also warned of some damage to crops and vegetables in the view of the possible heavy rain.

Squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is prevailing along and off Odisha coast and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to continue during next 6 hours and would gradually decrease thereafter, it further said.

Light to moderate rain may also continue at a few places in the state on Thursday. Dry weather will prevail thereafter. “There will be no large change in night temperature during next 2 days and then fall by 2-3°C in subsequent 3 days,” it added.

Notably, Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 6.5 mm in the last 24 hours as Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada received very heavy rainfall on Tuesday night under the influence of the tropical storm even as it has started losing its intensity gradually. The highest downpour of 106 mm was recoded in Pottangi block in Koraput district, it added.