Bhubaneswar, 02 July (H.S.): A low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to forecast widespread rainfall across Odisha over the next seven days. The weather system is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to several districts, particularly in southern Odisha, while rough sea conditions have led to a warning for fishermen.

According to the IMD's Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, the low-pressure area developed under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha coast. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to intensify further over the next two to three days.

The IMD said the system is expected to trigger widespread rainfall across the state, with isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain and extremely heavy rainfall in some districts.

The IMD has issued a Red Warning for Koraput and Malkangiri districts for July 3–4 and July 4–5, forecasting isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by extremely heavy downpours at isolated places.

An Orange Warning has been issued for July 2–3 for Bargarh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely.

Orange Warnings have also been issued during the following days for Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri and Cuttack, while several other districts remain under Yellow Warnings for heavy rainfall.

The IMD has forecast that rainfall activity will continue across Odisha until July 9.

From July 5 to July 7, Keonjhar and Angul are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall under Orange Warnings, while Yellow Warnings remain in force for several coastal, western and southern districts.

During July 7–8 and July 8–9, isolated heavy rainfall is expected mainly over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Angul districts.

The IMD has warned that sea conditions will remain rough to very rough along and off the Odisha coast from July 2 to July 6.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period due to the adverse weather conditions.

The weather office has also directed that Local Cautionary Signal No. III be hoisted at Paradip and Dhamra ports as a precautionary measure.

Rainfall activity has already intensified in several parts of the state.During the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Ambabhona in Bargarh district recorded the highest rainfall at 18 cm, followed by Jujumura in Sambalpur with 13 cm. Atabira received 12 cm, while Batli and Birmaharajpur recorded 11 cm each. Several other locations across Odisha registered rainfall ranging between 6 cm and 10 cm.

The IMD has advised district administrations and residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as the low-pressure system is expected to strengthen further, increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall, waterlogging and localized flooding in several parts of the state over the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda