Monsoon Picks Up Pace in Odisha; Heavy Rain Forecast
Key Points
Orange Alert issued for five Odisha districts due to forecast of very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
State records 107.3 mm rainfall since June 1, with six locations reporting extremely heavy showers.
Rainfall likely to continue for the next seven days, with isolated intense spells expected in western and northern districts.
Bhubaneswar, Jun 19: Odisha is witnessing widespread monsoon showers, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an Orange Alert for five districts — Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda — in anticipation of very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 1, the state has recorded 107.3 mm of rainfall, with light to moderate showers reported across most regions in the past 24 hours.
Notably, six locations experienced extremely heavy rainfall, while 12 others recorded heavy showers, according to the IMD.
The department has forecast continued rainfall for the next seven days, with the possibility of isolated intense downpours in one or two locations. Districts such as Bargarh, Angul, and Deogarh are also likely to receive heavy rainfall, though not under the Orange Alert category.
The IMD has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, especially in low-lying zones prone to waterlogging and landslides. Local administrations have been advised to stay on alert and activate disaster response mechanisms if necessary.
The monsoon revival, driven by active low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and eastern India, has significantly improved rainfall coverage across Odisha. The IMD has also warned of gusty winds and thunderstorms accompanying the showers in some areas.
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