Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe rainfall warning for 20 out of 30 districts in Odisha today, as a deep depression intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and tracks towards the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts.
In a special bulletin, the IMD confirmed that yesterday’s well-marked low-pressure area over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast, concentrated into a depression this morning before rapidly intensifying into a deep depression. As of the latest update, the weather system was located approximately 60 km southeast of Sagar Island, 110 km east-southeast of Digha, 260 km east of Balasore, 180 km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh), and 180 km west of Khepupara (Bangladesh).
The deep depression is projected to continue its northwards trajectory and is highly likely to make landfall this afternoon between Sagar Island (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh).
Under the combined influence of this potent weather system and the monsoon, which made its timely arrival in the state yesterday, Odisha is expected to experience widespread and heavy rainfall activity throughout the day.
The IMD has issued an Orange Warning (Be Prepared) for several districts, indicating a high likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places. These include Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, and Jagatsinghpur. Residents in these areas are advised to take all necessary precautions.
Furthermore, a Yellow Warning (Be Aware) has been issued for districts expected to receive heavy rainfall. This includes Kandhamal, Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Nuapada, Bolangir, Keonjhar, and Jajpur.
Beyond the heavy downpours, the IMD has also warned of isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and surface wind speeds reaching 30-40 kmph over Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Angul, Deogarh, Boudh, Bargarh, and Malkangiri districts. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and take shelter during these conditions.