Bhubaneswar: Odisha may continue to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday under the influence of the low-pressure area, which persists over Gangetic West Bengal & adjoining areas of Jharkhand and North Odisha.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the system is likely to move nearly north-westwards across Jharkhand and north Odisha during the next 24 hours. Additionally, an active monsoon trough and an associated upper-air trough passing through the region are intensifying rainfall across the state.
The weather agency has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall for isolated places in the districts of Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragda, Sambalpur, Sonpur, and Boudh. Heavy rain may also lash Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nayagada districts.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 gusting to 60 kmph may also prevail over Northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal and along and off West Bengal and adjoining Odisha & North Andhra Pradesh coasts. Fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the Northwest and Westcentral Bay of Bengal or along the Odisha coast till August 24.
The IMD has warned of flooding in low-lying areas, waterlogging in urban centres, potential landslides in vulnerable hilly terrains, and traffic disruptions due to poor visibility and waterlogged roads. Minor damage to kutcha structures, standing crops, and power lines is also anticipated due to squally winds. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid traveling through flooded roadways, seek safe shelter away from trees and concrete walls, and disconnect electrical appliances during severe weather.
While intensity of rain may decrease thereafter, the IMD has warned of heavy downpours in the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada on August 25-26. Heavy rain may continue at one or two places in Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 27-28, and spread out to Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 29.
On August 30, orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain return to Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj districts. Heavy rain may also lash Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kataka, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur.
Notably, several areas recorded heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, with Joda in Kendujhar district registering the highest at 17 cm, followed by Papadahandi in Nabarangpur (16 cm), Paikmal in Baragada (12 cm), and Kusumi in Mayurbhanj (12 cm).