A low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and north Odisha coasts, triggering widespread rainfall across Odisha. The system is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a depression within the next 12 hours.
Heavy rain has already been reported in several districts, including Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara and Nayagarh.
Red Alert for Three Districts
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj have been placed under a Red Warning for very heavy rainfall in some areas.
An Orange Warning has been issued for parts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul and Dhenkanal for heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Several districts in western and southern Odisha have also been issued a Yellow Warning for rain accompanied by thunderstorms.
Strong Winds, Rough Sea
On August 18, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, may occur over Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until August 18 due to rough conditions.
Heavy Rainfall Recorded
In the past 24 hours, Banspal in Keonjhar recorded the highest rainfall at 135.6 mm, followed by Barkot in Deogarh at 135.2 mm, Tensa in Sundargarh at 134.6 mm and Jamankira in Sambalpur at 126 mm.
Weather experts said the system is expected to move towards Jharkhand and West Bengal, with rainfall likely to continue across Odisha until August 20. Rainfall activity may gradually decrease between August 20 and 22 as the system moves inland.