Weather Alert / Fresh Low Pressure Area Develops, IMD Issues Red Warning of Heavy Rainfall in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 16: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a ‘red warning’ for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha as a fresh low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal, compounding the state’s ongoing flood crisis.

The IMD’s latest bulletin said the low-pressure area has developed over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal–North Odisha coasts and is likely to move northwestwards and become more marked within 24 hours. Under its influence, squally weather with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is expected along and off the West Bengal, Bangladesh, Odisha, and North Andhra Pradesh coasts between August 16 and 18. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.

The warning comes as Odisha grapples with floods in six coastal districts, where nearly one lakh people have been evacuated to relief centres after their villages were inundated. The previous low-pressure system, formed on August 12, had intensified into a depression and triggered heavy rainfall, leading to widespread flooding in northern districts.

Officials said some parts of Odisha may receive over 20 cm of rain within 24 hours, necessitating urgent administrative action to mitigate the impact. The state government has put all district collectors on alert.

Additional Chief Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee has directed urban authorities to remain on high alert and ensure prompt, coordinated, and citizen-centric responses to any emerging situation.
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Padhee also instructed urban bodies to proactively communicate preparedness and field actions through regular press briefings and social media updates as a confidence-building measure.

With the monsoon system remaining active, authorities are bracing for further rainfall and possible escalation of flood conditions. The IMD’s red warning underscores the need for vigilance as Odisha faces a dual challenge of managing flood relief and preparing for fresh heavy downpours.