The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert for five districts in Odisha in response to expected heavy rainfall stemming from a well-marked low-pressure system. This severe weather could lead to landslides in hilly areas and flash floods in low-lying urban regions. Fishermen have been cautioned to refrain from deep-sea activities from July 4 to July 6 due to rough sea conditions. IMD Director Manorama Mohanty indicated that widespread rainfall is anticipated across the state from July 1 to July 6.
Bhubaneswar, July 4
The IMD has alerted residents of Sambalpur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur (Sonepur), and Angul districts about extremely heavy rainfall expected within the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning, is predicted for various parts of Odisha over the next 48 hours.
This intense precipitation poses a risk of landslides in the hilly regions and flash floods in urban areas of several districts. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and limit travel during heavy rainfall periods.
Fishermen are also advised to avoid deep-sea fishing from July 4 to July 6 due to rough conditions in the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent coastal waters.
The IMD has issued a Local Cautionary Signal (LCS)-III for ports in Odisha, urging port authorities and maritime operators to take necessary precautions due to the adverse weather conditions.
Earlier, during a press briefing on Tuesday, IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty noted that a low-pressure area was expected to develop over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas around July 3, which would lead to increased rainfall in the state.
“As of today, an upper-air cyclonic circulation exists over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Bangladesh, extending between 1.5 to 5.8 kilometers above mean sea level, tilting southwestward with height. Consequently, a low-pressure area is predicted to form over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas around July 3, prompting expected rainfall across the state,” she explained.
She further stated that widespread rainfall is anticipated throughout Odisha from July 1 to July 6.
“From July 1 to July 6, we expect widespread rainfall across Odisha… An orange alert has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur on July 1, and from July 3 onwards due to the expected heavy rain. The state has experienced 110 mm of rainfall compared to a normal of 209.3 mm, resulting in a 47% deficit… Farmers are encouraged to continue their farming activities as beneficial rainfall is predicted in the upcoming week,” she added.
Earlier today, the IMD also issued a yellow alert for Puri, predicting heavy rainfall in the district on Saturday and Sunday as a well-marked low-pressure area remains over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent north Odisha-West Bengal coasts.
According to the IMD, the low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts strengthened into a well-marked low-pressure area at 5:30 am IST on Saturday.
source:newkerala
