Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a special bulletin and placed Odisha on high alert as a well-marked low-pressure area has formed over the Northwest Bay of Bengal. The weather system, which was located off the north Odisha coast as of 8:30 am IST today, September 3, 2025, is expected to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and into adjoining Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh within the next 24 hours.
The IMD bulletin warns of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places over Odisha today, September 3, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in various districts. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds are also likely. In response to the forecast, the state has issued a red warning for Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda districts, and an orange alert for Puri, Khordha, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Angul, Cuttack, Koraput, and Nabarangapur.
Incessant rainfall from the weather system, which is the third of its kind in 20 days, has already caused significant disruption across the state. Normal life has been thrown out of gear due to heavy showers, leading to urban flash floods in areas like Balasore, Patnagarh, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar. Waterlogging has caused severe traffic congestion in major cities, affecting commuters and emergency services. The heavy downpour has also triggered landslides in Koraput, cutting off communication to some villages.
According to the IMD, the sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough along and off the Odisha coast and over the North and West-central Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until September 3, 2025. The IMD has advised residents to remain vigilant, stay indoors, and avoid travel if possible. They have also warned of potential minor damage to power lines, communication lines, and kutcha houses. The forecast indicates that the state will continue to receive rain for the next several days.