Bhubaneswar, Jul 1: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts for Odisha as a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh continues to intensify.

The system has now moved inland over Gangetic West Bengal and is expected to gradually shift towards northern Odisha and Jharkhand over the next 48 hours. Under its influence, widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely across several districts of Odisha until July 5.

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall particularly in northern and western Odisha, including Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur, prompting the issuance of an Orange Alert for these districts.

Additionally, Yellow Warnings have been issued for 14 other districts, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak, where moderate to heavy rainfall is expected. The IMD has cautioned that these weather conditions may lead to waterlogging, disruption in transport, and localized flooding in low-lying areas.

The sea is expected to remain rough to very rough due to squally winds reaching speeds of 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph. As a result, fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast until July 2.

The Odisha government has placed disaster response teams, including ODRAF and fire services, on high alert and urged district administrations to activate control rooms and remain prepared for emergency response.

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