Bhubaneswar, Jul 4: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in five districts of Odisha as a well-marked low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal intensified on Saturday.

The red warning covers Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Sambalpur, and Sonepur districts.

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the system is likely to move west-northwestward across north Odisha and north Chhattisgarh over the next three days. “Extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is expected in the districts under red warning,” said Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorology Centre, Bhubaneswar. Rainfall activity is likely to continue till July 7.

An orange warning has been issued for eight districts—Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar—while the remaining 17 districts are under a yellow warning. The IMD has urged residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel during intense spells, and follow official advisories.

Under the influence of the low-pressure system, squally weather with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is expected along the coast. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough, prompting the IMD to advise fishermen against venturing into the sea until July 7. Port authorities at Paradip and Dhamra have been asked to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No. III.

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In the last 24 hours, at least 10 places in Odisha recorded rainfall above 105 mm. Sohela in Bargarh district received the highest precipitation at 202 mm, followed by 145 mm in Ganjam. From July 5, northern districts including Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj are expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall for three consecutive days.

Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner’s office has directed district collectors to remain on alert and take measures against waterlogging in urban areas and landslides in hilly regions. With the monsoon system strengthening, Odisha is bracing for an extended spell of heavy rain across much of the state.