IMD Issues Red Alert in Odisha as Bay of Bengal Low Pressure Triggers Heavy Rainfall

A low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal has triggered extreme weather conditions across Odisha, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts on Wednesday. The IMD has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in these areas over the next 24 hours.

Red and Orange Alerts Across Odisha

According to the IMD, rainfall in red alert zones could range between 12 to 20 cm, with isolated areas possibly receiving more than 20 cm. An orange alert has also been issued in five districts, forecasting very heavy rainfall ranging from 7 to 11 cm.

Additionally, yellow alerts have been declared in six districts—Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh—indicating the likelihood of heavy showers. All remaining districts in the state are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, with the wet spell forecast to continue until June 23.

Impact and Warnings from IMD

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the IMD’s Bhubaneswar Centre, confirmed that the intensifying low-pressure system is leading to widespread precipitation across the state. She cautioned about possible waterlogging, flash floods, and landslides, particularly in low-lying and hilly areas.

The IMD has also issued warnings for squally winds reaching 50–60 kmph, advising fishermen to avoid venturing into the northern Bay of Bengal until June 20.

Record Rainfall and Forecast Accuracy

The past 24 hours marked one of the wettest periods this season, with Kusumi in Mayurbhanj recording 136 mm of rainfall. The Bharat Forecast System, a new addition to the IMD’s predictive tools, has been credited with improving the accuracy of such forecasts.

Rainfall across Odisha last week stood at 287.1 mm, a staggering 451% increase from the normal weekly average of 52.1 mm, as per IMD data.

Disruption and Emergency Response

Flooding of farmlands, traffic disruptions, and inundation of low-lying areas have been reported or are expected as the rain continues. The state government has deployed disaster response teams, although some rural areas with poor drainage infrastructure remain vulnerable to flooding.

The IMD’s warnings have led to heightened preparedness across districts, with authorities urging residents to exercise caution and limit movement during periods of intense rainfall.

As Odisha braces for continued monsoon activity, the state’s systems and day-to-day life may face significant disruption until at least June 23.