The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that several regions in Odisha, including Puri, will experience heavy rainfall after a low-pressure system developed over the Bay of Bengal.
This low-pressure area formed off the northern Odisha-West Bengal coasts around 5:30 AM, influenced by an upper air cyclonic circulation, according to an IMD bulletin.
The weather system is projected to shift across northern Odisha and into Gangetic West Bengal over the next two days.
Since Tuesday evening, multiple districts in Odisha, particularly Puri, have been subjected to heavy rain.
Puri and surrounding areas experienced significant downpours from Tuesday night into early Wednesday, prompting emergency services to work on draining accumulated rainwater from the city, including the Grand Road, which is crucial for the upcoming Rath Yatra celebrations.
“We have deployed pumps in areas prone to waterlogging during the heavy rainfall. The pumps were utilized last evening to eliminate standing water,” stated a fire service official.
Puri recorded a maximum rainfall of 143.8 mm in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, as reported by the IMD.
The renowned Rath Yatra is set to take place on Thursday in Puri, with millions of devotees expected to attend from various regions, including international visitors.
The IMD has issued a red warning (indicating the need for immediate action) for both Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
In response to these weather predictions, all schools, including private institutions, in Puri have been closed for Wednesday.
For Puri town, the IMD’s Bhubaneswar center released a special advisory for pilgrims, urging them to exercise caution during lightning and thunderstorms.
Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, and those with health issues, are advised to minimize their exposure to rain and avoid crowded locations.
In cases of severe rainfall or lightning, the IMD recommends that devotees seek refuge in sturdy buildings rather than under trees, electrical poles, or makeshift structures.
As the sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the waters off the Odisha coast until July 17.
Locations such as Derabis in Kendrapara district recorded 135 mm of rain, while Patamundai received 129 mm.
Additionally, 21 other locations across Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jajpur recorded significant rainfall amounts ranging from 65 mm to 107 mm, according to the bulletin.
The IMD has also issued an orange warning (indicating preparation for action) for the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Khurdha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Ganjam, and Kandhamal for Wednesday.
Moreover, a yellow warning (signifying readiness to act) has been issued for Balasore, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati districts for the day.
