Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department has issued severe weather warnings across Odisha following the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists predict a widespread and prolonged wet spell expected to impact multiple regions of the state over the coming days.
For northern and coastal parts of the state, red warnings have been sounded for districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Mayurbhanj, where isolated places are at risk of receiving extremely heavy rainfall. An orange warning remains active across surrounding central and coastal districts like Cuttack, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, and Keonjhar, indicating high chances of heavy to very heavy downpours. Meanwhile, a yellow warning covers nearly fifteen other interior districts, anticipating moderate to heavy rains paired with localized lightning and thunderstorms.
The severe weather threat extends beyond rainfall. Strong surface winds ranging between 40 to 50 km per hour, occasionally gusting up to 60 km per hour, are likely to blow along and off the Odisha coast. Due to the resulting rough sea conditions, authorities have strictly advised fishermen against venturing into the sea until further notice.
The sudden surge in monsoon intensity poses fresh concerns as several river basins in Odisha were already dealing with elevated water levels from previous rain spells. Local public administration officers have been directed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas are advised to brace for possible waterlogging, localized flooding, and minor landslides, while keeping track of updated local weather bulletins.