Bhubaneswar: The respite from the recent flood situation could be short-lived as a low-pressure area over the Northwest Bay of Bengal has triggered heavy downpours across several parts of Odisha.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur under a Red Warning, alerting residents to heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20 cm expected on August 23. Additionally, an Orange Warning of heavy very heavy rain has been issued for 18 districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, Debagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Kandhamala, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha, Nayagada and Rayagada, where localized flooding, waterlogging in urban low-lying areas, and possible minor damage to vulnerable structures or crops are anticipated.
Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (40-50 kmph) is also likely in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Heavy rain may also occur at one or two places in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Nuapada, Balangir, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. Thunderstorm activity with wind speed of 30-40 kmph is also likely in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Nuapada, Balangir, Gajapati and Ganjam
On August 24, orange warning continues for one or two places in the districts of Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Sonpur and Boudh, which may experience heavy to very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and wind speed of 40 to 50 kmph. Heavy rain is also likely in Baleshwar, Anugola, Debagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam and Nayagada. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (30-40 kmph) may also occur at one or two places in the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj,
Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Squally winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, may prevail along and off the Odisha coast. Local Cautionary Signal No. III (LC-III) has been hoisted across all state ports, and fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea till August 24 as rough coastal waters persist. Authorities have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and take shelter in safe, permanent structures during severe weather spells.
While the intensity of showers may decrease thereafter, the IMD has issued heavy to very heavy rain warnings in one or two places in the districts of Sundaragada on August 25-26. Heavy rain is also likely at one or two places in Jharsuguda, Baragada, Debagada, Sambalpur, Kendujhar and Balangir.
Heavy rain may continue in in Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 27; Baleshwar, Jajpur, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 28; and Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on August 29, with no large change thereafter.