Bhubaneswar, Jul 4: The low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast has now intensified into a well-marked low-pressure system, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 9.4 km above sea level, triggering warnings of heavy rainfall and strong winds across Odisha.

Officials said the system is likely to move northwestwards, crossing through north Odisha and north Chhattisgarh over the next three days. As a result, the sea remains rough, prompting Paradip and Dhamra ports to hoist danger signal number 3.

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In anticipation of severe weather, the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for five districts — Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Sonepur, and Sambalpur — warning of extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours.

An orange warning has been issued for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Rayagada districts.

Meanwhile, yellow alerts have been sounded for Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore.

Wind speeds along the Odisha coast are expected to range between 45-55 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea until July 7.

In the past 24 hours, Odisha recorded widespread rainfall, with seven locations reporting extremely heavy showers and 19 places recording heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall was reported at Sohela in Bargarh district, which received 202 mm.

Since June 1, the state has recorded 202.7 mm of rainfall, though the overall monsoon deficit remains at 18 per cent.

The low-pressure system is expected to bring intense rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding in low-lying areas.