Bhubaneswar: Amid the forecast for an increase in rainfall in Odisha, which is currently experiencing a weak monsoon, from the third week with the likely formation of low pressure over Northwest Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issue yellow warning for heavy rain in several districts till July 16.
“A cyclonic circulation lies over north Coastal Andhra Pradesh at 3.1 km above mean sea level,” it said.
According to the midday bulletin, heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Nabarangpur till 8.30 am on Thursday. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is also likely at many places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal and at a few places in remaining districts of the state during this period.
There is no heavy rain warning for July 13 when the state is likely to witness thunderstorm with lightning at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati,Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Angul and Dhenkanal districts. There is also a forecast for light to moderate rain or thundershower at many places in Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Bhadrak and at a few places in rest of Odisha.
Only July 14, the state will again experience heavy rains at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Angul, Deogarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Balangir and Bargarh. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is also likely at many places in North Odisha ,Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh and at a few places in the remaining districts of the state.
Heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places over the districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Kandhamal during the subsequent 24 hours (July 15) with light to moderate showers at many places across the state.
The MeT office has forecast heavy rain one or two places over the districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Koraput, Gajapati and Rayagada districts on July 16. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is also likely many places in North Odisha, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam and at a few places in rest districts of the state during this period.
Earlier, the IMD had said that the models indicate the likely development of a cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coast around July 16. There is a possibility that the system may intensify into low pressure. The monsoon trough, which is lying north from its normal eastern side, is also expected to return to its normal position by the end of this week, making conditions favourable for Odisha, it added.
Corroborating the prediction, SOA University’s Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) said south-easterly wind will lead to an increase in rainfall activity and heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at most places between July 21 and 23 across north and western Odisha.
“There is a probability of the formation of a cyclonic circulation which will increase precipitation in the state from July 18 and lead to the formation of a low-pressure area the same day. The system may gradually intensify into a deep depression by July 20,” said CEC director Sarat Chandra Sahu.
Odisha is recorded a rainfall deficit of 26 per cent so far this monsoon season since June 1, having received 238.8 mm rainfall against the normal 323.6mm.
