Weather Forecast / IMD Issues Red Warning for Three Odisha Districts as Low-Pressure Intensifies

Bhubaneswar, Aug 30: A low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area and is currently active over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of north Odisha and West Bengal, the regional centre of India Meteorological Department in Bhubaneswar informed on Sunday.

The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level. The system is likely to intensify further during the next 24 hours and move west-northwestwards, crossing north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal.

Under its influence, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during the next 48 hours. The weather office has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by extremely heavy, very heavy and heavy rainfall across Odisha for three days.

For the next 24 hours, red warnings have been issued for Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar and Kendujhar districts for extremely heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Orange warnings have been issued for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Kataka, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Debagada, Sambalpur and Subarnapur districts for heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Yellow warnings have been issued for Khurda, Puri, Nayagada, Kandhamal, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Baragada, Balangir, Jharsuguda and Nuapada districts for heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are also likely in these areas.

In the remaining districts, thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 30-40 kmph are likely, for which the IMD has issued a yellow warning.

For the following day, a red warning has been issued for Baragada for extremely heavy rainfall. Orange warnings have been issued for Keonjhar, Debagada, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Sundaragaa for heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Yellow warnings have been issued for Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Nabarangpur for heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are also likely in these districts.

The IMD has warned that rainfall is likely to continue until September 1, after which it is expected to gradually decrease.

Meanwhile, strong winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are likely along the Odisha coast, resulting in rough sea conditions. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till August 31.

Also Read: Odisha Braces for Heavy Rain as Low Pressure Deepens

The weather office has also warned of the possibility of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides due to the heavy rainfall. Special caution has been advised in eight districts -- Bhadrak, Baleshwar, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundaragaa -- where a flash-flood warning has been issued.

The IMD has advised people to remain alert as water levels in various rivers are likely to rise. People have also been urged to exercise caution during thunderstorms and lightning.

Meanwhile, several parts of Odisha have received light to moderate rainfall under the influence of the low-pressure system. Extremely heavy rainfall has been recorded at two locations, while heavy rainfall has been reported at 12 locations.

The highest rainfall of 156.2 mm was recorded at Rajghat in Baleshwar.