Bhubaneswar, Jul 6: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for eight districts of Odisha as a low-pressure system remains active over southern Jharkhand and adjoining northern Odisha.

The system is expected to move northwestwards towards southern Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh within the next 24 hours, bringing widespread rainfall across the state.

According to IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Deogarh districts over the next two days.

Also read: Continuous Downpour Wreaks Havoc across Odisha

A yellow warning has also been issued for Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj districts. On July 7, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj are expected to receive heavy showers under a yellow alert.

The department has cautioned that intense rainfall may lead to waterlogging in urban areas, artificial flooding, submergence of roads, and damage to standing crops.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea until July 7 as rough conditions are expected to prevail along the coast.

Since June 1, Odisha has recorded 324.2 mm of rainfall, which is 22 per cent above the normal average of 265.8 mm.

In the past 24 hours, extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at 12 locations, with Sonepur receiving the highest at 328 mm. Other major rainfall figures include Ullunda (290 mm), Belgaon (279 mm), Telkoi (276.6 mm), Khairmal (258 mm), Burla (256.4 mm), and Kantamal (246.8 mm).

Dr Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, said that while the state has already experienced excess rainfall this season, the next 48 hours will be crucial for flood-prone districts. She added that Kalahandi, Sundargarh, and Nabarangpur continue to record persistent heavy showers.