Weather Alert / Low Pressure Triggers Heavy Rain Alerts in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported an active low‑pressure system over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal valleys.

In the past six hours, the system has moved west‑northwestward at a speed of 12 km per hour. Forecasts suggest that within the next 24 hours, it will continue to move across Jharkhand and Bihar, gradually weakening into a well‑marked low‑pressure area.

Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in four districts of Odisha — Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Baragada — where an Orange Alert has been issued.

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Meanwhile, districts including Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Debagada, Anugola, Boudh, Sonepur, and Balangir have been placed under a Yellow Alert for thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall. The IMD has indicated that rainfall intensity will reduce from Wednesday.

Adding to the weather activity, another low‑pressure system is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha coast around August 22-23. This new system is expected to revive rainfall activity across the state starting August 22.

Since June 1, Odisha has recorded 998 mm of rainfall, which is 29 per cent above normal. In the last 24 hours alone, one location reported extremely heavy rainfall, three districts recorded very heavy rainfall, and 22 places reported heavy showers. The highest rainfall was recorded at Bahada in Mayurbhanj district, which received 273 mm.