Bhubaneswar: A new low-pressure area emerged over the Northwest Bay of Bengal in the early hours of Sunday, according to the latest report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This weather system formed due to a cyclonic circulation in the North Bay of Bengal near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast and has resulted in heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha. The highest rainfall recorded was in Thuamool Rampur, Kalahandi district, where 345 mm fell in the past 24 hours. Other significant rainfall totals included 260 mm in Gunupur, Rayagada district, 212 mm in Kashipur, Rayagada, and 200 mm in Jaipatna, Kalahandi.
As per the IMD bulletin, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in one or two areas within Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Koraput on Sunday, while similar weather conditions are anticipated in parts of Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts on Monday.
During this period, a yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for the districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Sonpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
Thunderstorms, along with lightning and gusty winds, may occur in several districts including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagarh, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh.
An orange warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts on August 24-25, along with a yellow alert for Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Balangir districts.
Rough weather is anticipated, with wind speeds ranging from 40-50 km/h and gusts reaching 60 km/h over the Northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, as well as along the coasts of West Bengal, Odisha, and North Andhra Pradesh until August 24. The sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough during this time, and fishermen have been warned against venturing into these waters.
This impending wet weather is significant for Odisha, where nearly one million residents in six districts have already been affected by recent flooding. As of Saturday afternoon, major rivers such as the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, and Jalaka were reported to be flowing below danger levels, yet state authorities remain vigilant.
In earlier statements to the media, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil indicated that while the current conditions are manageable, preparations in 19 districts have been heightened for possible emergency responses as thunderstorms are forecasted. Four senior officials, including three IAS officers, have been assigned to affected areas like Kendrapada to enhance flood management efforts. Moreover, 86 rescue teams, which include 32 from ODRAF, eight from NDRF, and 46 from Fire and Emergency Services, are positioned in flood-affected regions to facilitate rescue and relief operations.
