Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30 (UDN): Odisha is bracing for another spell of intense rainfall as a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coast continues to influence the state’s weather.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Warning for Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj for Sunday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy showers.
The warning comes amid concerns over the impact of fresh rainfall on areas that have already witnessed flooding and waterlogging in recent weeks.
North Odisha Under Close Watch
The weather system is expected to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, keeping rainfall activity high over the state. The IMD has forecast widespread rain across Odisha, with extremely heavy rainfall possible at isolated locations.
Balasore has already recorded significant rainfall, with the IMD reporting 40.2 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am on August 30. The district is forecast to experience extremely heavy rain along with thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph on Sunday.
Rain to Continue Into September
The wet spell is not expected to end immediately. The IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall over Odisha on August 31 and September 1, followed by heavy rainfall on September 2 and 3.
The renewed spell could pose additional challenges in flood-prone and low-lying areas, particularly where rivers, drainage channels and water bodies are already swollen.
Authorities Asked to Remain Alert
With the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, residents in the warning areas have been advised to remain cautious. Intense downpours could trigger flash flooding, waterlogging, disruption of road connectivity and a rise in river and reservoir levels.
The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in parts of the state during the period.
The latest weather system has therefore put Odisha’s disaster-management machinery on alert, with authorities closely monitoring rainfall and the situation in vulnerable districts.
As the low-pressure system moves inland, northern Odisha is likely to remain the key area of concern, while the state as a whole remains under the influence of an active monsoon spell.
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