Bhubaneswar, Jul 2: A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha, intensifying monsoon activity across the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a seasonal trough line, extending from west Rajasthan through Madhya Pradesh and Odisha up to the Bay of Bengal, is further fuelling the system.

Under its influence, rainfall activity is expected to increase significantly over Odisha, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh from Thursday.

Also read: From July 6, 16–32 mm Daily Rainfall to Lash Odisha’s Mayurbhanj to Bhubaneswar

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places over the next three to four days, with isolated extremely heavy showers likely in some districts.

For the next 24 hours, an orange alert has been issued for nine districts — Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh, Nuapada, and Balangir — warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, yellow alerts have been issued for 18 districts including Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda.

From Friday, rainfall intensity is expected to rise further, with red alerts issued for two districts predicting extremely heavy rainfall. Four districts will remain under orange alert, while 12 districts will continue under yellow alert.

The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until July 6, warning of strong winds and rough sea conditions. Coastal areas are expected to experience squally weather during this period.

In the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall has already been recorded at several places. Ambabhona in Bargarh district received the highest rainfall at 180 mm, followed by Jujumura in Sambalpur with 130 mm and Attabira in Bargarh with 120 mm.