Bhubaneswar: A well-defined low-pressure system located over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjacent coasts of Odisha and West Bengal is anticipated to strengthen into a depression within the next 12 hours. This development is expected to bring heavy rains, strong surface winds, and possible localized flooding to Odisha.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Sunday that the low-pressure region, which was previously observed over the West Bengal coast, was confirmed as a well-marked low-pressure area at 5:30 AM. The IMD indicated that it is likely to consolidate into a depression in the same area shortly. The system is expected to track northwest and make landfall at the North Odisha-West Bengal Coast around the morning of July 27.
As this weather system gains strength, the IMD has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several locations in Odisha, with the potential for extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas on July 26. Furthermore, isolated very heavy rainfall is forecasted for July 27-28, and heavy rainfall is anticipated again on July 29.
Moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is expected at various locations in Balangir, Baragada, Boudhgada, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamala, Kendrapada, Nuapada, Rayagada, and Sonpur until approximately 1:30 PM on July 26.
On Saturday, the IMD issued a red warning for Kendujhar district, indicating heavy to extremely heavy rain on July 26-27. An orange warning has also been declared for the districts of Jajpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, and Mayurbhanj, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations. Additionally, a yellow warning has been announced for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Sonpur, Boudhagada, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Puri, Khordha, Balangir, and Nayagada, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall.
Thunderstorms, along with gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 km/h, may also impact isolated areas in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudhgada, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada districts.
The Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) at SOA Deemed to be University has also predicted moderate to heavy rainfall, with some areas experiencing heavy to very heavy precipitation from July 25 to 28. The rains are expected to affect the catchment areas of the Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, and Mahanadi rivers, which span several districts including Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola, Sambalpur, Baragada, Kataka, Kendrapada, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Nayagada, Sonpur, Boudhgada, and Balangir.
