A low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal continues to remain active over north Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand. Under its influence, the system is expected to move northwestwards over the next 24 hours, passing through north Odisha and Jharkhand. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecast an increase in rainfall across the state from August 29.
Several parts of Odisha are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, while some areas may experience heavy to very heavy rain. The weather system is also expected to bring thunderstorms and gusty winds in several districts.
For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning, thunder and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph is likely in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda. The weather department has issued a Yellow Warning for these districts.
Another weather system may develop around August 28 over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas off the north Odisha coast. By around August 30, the system could intensify into a low-pressure area. North and coastal Odisha may then witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Odisha Records Highest Rainfall in the Country
Amid the continuing rainfall, Odisha has recorded the highest rainfall in the country during the current spell. Several parts of the state received light to moderate rain, while two locations recorded extremely heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall was reported from eight locations. Barkot in Deogarh recorded the highest rainfall at 162.2 mm.
Since June 1, Odisha has received 1,096.9 mm of rainfall, which is around 30 per cent above the normal rainfall for the period.
Continuous Rain Threatens Agricultural Operations
The back-to-back low-pressure systems have severely affected agricultural activities across Odisha. At a time when transplanting and other major paddy cultivation activities should have been completed, several farmlands remain waterlogged due to persistent rainfall.
Agriculture expert Surendra Nath Pashupalak said the state’s agricultural output could decline this year. He attributed the expected decline to the delayed arrival of the monsoon, delays in transplanting operations and crop damage caused by prolonged rainfall.
According to him, not only paddy but also several non-paddy crops have suffered damage due to waterlogging and continuous rain. The repeated spells of heavy rainfall have therefore raised concerns over crop production and the livelihood of farmers across the state.