Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a special weather bulletin, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several districts of Odisha due to a well-marked low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coasts and a monsoon trough passing through the centre of the system, which is expected to track west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal over the next 24 hours.
Under the influence of the system, significant rainfall has already been recorded across the state over the 24 hours leading up to 8.30 am, with Rajghat (Balasore district) receiving 16 cm, Kusumi (Mayurbhanj) recording 13 cm, and Lathikata (Sundargarh) logging 11 cm.
Multi-Day District Warning Breakdown
August 30
Red Warning (Take Action): Extremely heavy rainfall predicted at isolated places in Baleshwar, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj.
Orange Warning (Be Prepared): Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected across Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, and Dhenkanal.
Yellow Warning (Be Aware): Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Baragada, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh.
August 31
Red Warning: Heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rain shifts west to Baragada district.
Orange Warning: Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar, Sonpur, Nuapada, Balangir, and Kalahandi.
Yellow Warning: Balesshar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada.
September 1
Orange Warning: Heavy to very heavy rain may occur at isolated places in Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, and Baragada.
Yellow Warning: Baleshwar, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonapur, Nuapada, and Balangir.
Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, may also prevail along and off the Odisha coast. Fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the sea till August 31, while local cautionary signal No.-III (LC-III) will remain hoisted at all ports across Odisha.
The IMD has cautioned of a low-to-moderate flash flood risk over vulnerable watersheds and low-lying areas in Bhadrak, Baleshwar, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundaragada districts.People in these regions have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, remain indoors in safe structures, keep distance from electrical conductors, and check traffic advisories for localised flooding, mudslides, and uprooted trees. Off-shore, on-shore, and helicopter activities are instructed to be judiciously regulated.
