Bhubaneswar: Widespread rainfall is anticipated across Odisha starting Wednesday night, as a low-pressure area is expected to develop over the northwest Bay of Bengal. This system is likely to merge with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone ‘Wipha’, which originated in the South China Sea, according to SOA’s Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC).
The CEC bulletin further indicates that this weather system is likely to intensify on Thursday evening or Friday morning. It is predicted to move in a northwesterly direction, heading towards Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh.
Under the influence of this developing system, Odisha will experience widespread rain from Wednesday night, continuing until the forenoon of July 26. This period of intensified monsoon activity is expected to significantly boost the seasonal rainfall for the state, which has already seen above-normal precipitation this monsoon.
Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall Alerts:
Several districts are under a watch for heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 24 and 25. These include:
- Angul
- Balangir
- Balasore
- Boudh
- Cuttack
- Dhenkanal
- Jagatsinghpur
- Jajpur
- Kalahandi
- Kandhamal
- Keonjhar
- Kendrapara
- Khurda
- Mayurbhanj
- Nayagarh
- Subarnapur
Additional Heavy Precipitation Warnings:
Heavy precipitation is also forecasted for July 25 and 26 in the districts of:
- Bargarh
- Boudh
- Deogarh
- Jharsuguda
- Sambalpur
- Sundargarh
Other districts across the state will experience moderate to heavy rainfall during this period.
Impact and Preparations:
Such intensified rainfall during the monsoon season is crucial for agriculture, particularly for Kharif crops like paddy, cotton, and potato, which rely heavily on consistent monsoon patterns. Authorities are likely to issue advisories to farmers to optimize the benefits of the favorable weather.
While major rivers are currently flowing below danger marks, district authorities, particularly in coastal and northern Odisha, have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures. The possibility of localized waterlogging in urban areas is also a concern, and urban local bodies have been advised to prepare for effective management of adverse weather conditions. Fisherfolk are generally advised to exercise caution or avoid venturing into deep-sea areas during such weather events due to rough sea conditions.