IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert for 19 Odisha Districts as Low Pressure Intensifies

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a heavy rainfall warning for 19 districts of Odisha, as the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked system. The IMD cautioned that the system is likely to further concentrate into a depression over the next 24 hours, bringing widespread rainfall and strong winds to the region.

According to the IMD’s morning bulletin, the well-marked low-pressure area lies over southwest Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, having moved northwestwards from its previous position over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions of Bangladesh, West Bengal, and north Odisha.

Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to lash the districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur in the next 24 hours.

The IMD has also warned of squally winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, along and off the north Odisha coast. In view of this, fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea, particularly in the north Bay of Bengal, until further notice.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has alerted district administrations to remain prepared for any eventualities such as waterlogging, flash floods, or disruption in essential services due to the heavy downpour. Disaster response teams have been kept on standby in vulnerable areas.

The rainfall is expected to bring respite from the recent hot and humid conditions in the state, but authorities are urging citizens to stay indoors during heavy rain and follow official advisories.

The IMD will continue to monitor the system’s movement and issue updated forecasts accordingly.