Bhubaneswar: Odisha has been experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall for the past two days under the influence of a low pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Odisha-West Bengal coasts, which became well-marked over the same region on Thursday.
Puri, where lakhs of devotees have congregated to witness annual Rath Yatra of sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple, has recorded 233.3 mm of rainfall in the last 48 hours. The Holy city received 143.8 mm of rain between July 14 and July 15, followed by another 89.5 mm between July 15 and July 16, according to senior meteorologist Umasankar Das.
In the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am, torrential rains lashed several districts, with Banki in Kataka district recording the highest downpour at 210 mm. Anugola town and Talcher closely followed with 206 mm and 195 mm, respectively. Significant rainfall was also measured across other regions, including Tigiria in Kataka (171 mm), Parjang in Dhenkanal (142 mm), Harabhanga in Boudh (140 mm), and Bhapur in Nayagada (132.8 mm). Additionally, Hatadihi in Kendujhar registered 131.8 mm, while Altuma in Dhenkanal capped off the heaviest spells with 120 mm.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall may continue in the districts of Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Boudh, and Sonepur till 8.30 am on July 17. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Kataka, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagada, Dhenkanal, Sundargada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, and Gajapati. Isolated heavy rainfall may also occur at one or two places in Baleshawar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Ganjam, Malkangiri, and Nuapada.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places in the districts of Sundargada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Sonpur, Nuapada and Balangir during the subsequent 24 hours.
The weather agency has warned of localised urban flooding, waterlogging, and traffic disruptions, alongside risks of minor structural and road damage, landslides, crop inundation, and potential riverine flooding in these districts.
Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough along and off Odisha coast from July 16-18. Local cautionary signal No-III (LC-3) has been hoisted at all ports of Odisha.
Heavy rainfall is also likely in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Sonpur on July 17; Baleshwar, Sundargada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Kedujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir on July 18; Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on July 19; and Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on July 20.
Though there is no warning thereafter, light to moderate rain or thundershower may occur at a few places across the Odisha during the subsequent 4-5 days, it added.
