Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds throughout Odisha from August 11 to August 17.
A Yellow ‘Be Aware’ warning is active for most districts during the initial two days, while several districts in western Odisha will be under an Orange ‘Be Prepared’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall starting August 13.
For August 11, the IMD has issued a Yellow warning for significant rainfall in one or two locations across 21 districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and surface winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph are also forecast for isolated areas within these districts, along with Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamala, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
The Yellow warning remains in effect on August 12, with heavy rain expected in one or two locations across 22 districts, including coastal and western regions such as Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kataka, Puri, Ganjam, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, and Sambalpur. Furthermore, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are anticipated at isolated spots throughout all 30 districts in the state.
Weather conditions are predicted to worsen beginning August 13, with an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall issued for Kataka, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Anugola, and Dhenkanal.
A Yellow warning for heavy rain continues for 18 additional districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Baragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Balangir, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada. Thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in all districts.
The Orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain persists in Jharsuguda, Baragada, and Sambalpur on August 14. A Yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghapur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, and Balangir, with lightning and gusty winds expected statewide.
On August 15, four districts—Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, and Sambalpur—will be under an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall. In addition, isolated areas in Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, and Balangir are likely to experience heavy rain under a Yellow warning. Coastal and southern districts are also forecasted to encounter thunderstorms with lightning and winds of 30-40 kmph.
By August 16, the intensity of rain is expected to decrease, although Sambalpur will still be under an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain. A Yellow warning for heavy rainfall will be in effect for Sundaragada, Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Boudh.
Rainfall activity is forecast to diminish on August 17, with a Yellow warning issued only for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghapur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj.
The IMD has urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid open areas during thunderstorms, and stay updated on weather forecasts as conditions may deteriorate.
An IMD report indicates that an upper air cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas persists, extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestward with height. As a result, a Low Pressure Area is expected to form in the same region around August 12.
