Bhubaneswar: Intense monsoon rains induced by a rapidly developing weather system have lashed Odisha, significantly narrowing the state’s seasonal rainfall deficit.
Over the past 24 hours, widespread heavy to very heavy downpours have been recorded across multiple districts, with places like Sohela in Bargarh logging the highest precipitation at 202 mm.
In response to this active monsoon surge, the State Emergency Operation Centre has been placed on round-the-clock alert to coordinate with district administrations and monitor low-lying areas.
This severe wet spell coincides with a critical advancement reported by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, noting that a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has officially intensified into a depression.
According to the latest synoptic updates this system was centered at 0830 hours IST today, July 5, 2026, near latitude 21.1°N and longitude 87.2°E.
The core of the depression currently lies approximately 50 kilometers south-southeast of Balasore, 60 kilometers northeast of Chandbali, and 60 kilometers south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal.
Forecasters track that the system is highly likely to move west-northwestwards, crossing the north Odisha coast between Chandbali and Digha, passing very close to Balasore within the next 24 hours.
Following its landfall, the system is expected to maintain its west-northwestward trajectory across north Odisha and north Chhattisgarh during the subsequent 24 hours. This movement is expected to sustain heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over interior and northern parts of the state, accompanied by strong squalls and rough sea conditions along the coast.