Bhubaneswar: Barely recovering from a devastating spell of floods that impacted over 8.64 lakh people across 22 districts, Odisha faces a renewed threat of heavy deluge with a fresh low-pressure system brewing over northwest Bay of Bengal.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic circulation, which persists over the northwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area over the same region around August 12.
Under its influence, Odisha is likely to experience very heavy rainfall from August 11-13. Isolated heavy rainfall may also occur from August 14-17. Due to squally weather conditions and surface winds reaching 40–50 kmph (gusting up to 60 kmph), sea conditions off the Odisha coast are expected to remain rough to very rough. The IMD has strictly advised fishermen against venturing into the sea along and off the Odisha coast till August 15. It has also warned of riverine flooding, breach of river embankments, localised urban flooding, and potential landslides or mudslides in hilly terrains. Standing crops across thousands of hectares and vulnerable kutcha structures remain at risk of significant damage. In urban hubs like Bhubaneswar and Kataka, waterlogging, underpass closures, and travel disruptions are likely. Residents are advised to monitor traffic advisories, avoid waterlogged areas, and stay clear of vulnerable structures.
On August 11, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts. Yellow warning of heavy rainfall has also been issued for Jajpur, Kataka, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.
On August 12, very heavy rainfall may continue in Anugola and Kendujhar. Heavy rainfall alerts remain active for 15 districts – Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Puri and Khordha.
On August 13, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in Sundargarh. Heavy downpours may also continue in 16 districts across northern, central, and southern Odisha – Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur and Koraput.
The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rain over northern districts including Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Baleshwar from August 14-17. Moderate thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, are expected across the state from August 11-15.