Heavy Rainfall to Intensify Across Odisha; IMD Warns of Wet Spell Till August 10

Rainfall activity is set to intensify across Odisha from Wednesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rain accompanied by heavy to very heavy showers across the state till August 8. While the overall spread of rainfall is expected to reduce after August 8, several districts are likely to continue receiving heavy rain, and the wet spell may persist till August 10.

Orange Alert for Mayurbhanj

The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Mayurbhanj district, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours.

A Yellow Alert has been issued for 13 districts—Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Nayagarh, Keonjhar, Nuapada, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh—where heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely.

The remaining 17 districts have also been placed under a Yellow Warning for thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph.

Low Pressure Likely Around August 9-10

According to weather officials, the ongoing monsoon flow will continue to influence rainfall over the next two to three days. A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the west-central Bay of Bengal, close to the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coast, around August 7.

The system is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area by August 9-10, leading to a fresh spell of widespread rainfall across Odisha from August 7-8 onwards.

South Odisha May Receive Heaviest Rain

Meteorologist Surendranath Pasupalak said south and coastal Odisha are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the wet conditions expected to continue till August 11 or 12.

“Thereafter, rainfall activity may shift towards central and western Odisha,” he said. Unlike the previous low-pressure system, which brought intense rainfall over northern Odisha, the upcoming system is expected to have a greater impact on the southern districts.

He added that rainfall could continue across the state till August 13, with intermittent showers possibly extending up to August 14 or 15.

Administration on Alert

In view of the forecast, district administrations across south Odisha have stepped up preparedness. Officials have been placed on alert, and relief materials have been kept ready to respond to any emergency arising from heavy rainfall or flooding.