Bhubaneswar: A cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the northern Bay of Bengal today, which is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area by Thursday, July 24, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather system is set to bring widespread and heavy rainfall across Odisha over the coming days, with significant downpours anticipated until July 28.
Rainfall is expected to commence on Wednesday, with districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada likely to receive heavy showers. On Thursday, Mayurbhanj and Balasore are forecast to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Angul may also be affected by heavy rain.
Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected in Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.
On Friday, July 25, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak are again likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain, while on Saturday, July 26, rainfall is expected to intensify in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi.
The wet spell is forecast to continue across various parts of the state on July 27 and 28.
On Tuesday, Koraput recorded the highest rainfall at 60 mm, followed by Chandbali with 17 mm and Khordha with 7 mm.
An assessment by the SOA Environment and Climate Center suggests that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal could intensify further by Thursday night or Friday, with a projected movement towards Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh. As a result, rainfall intensity is expected to increase across many regions of Odisha until at least July 26.
The IMD has urged residents, particularly in the affected districts, to stay alert and follow weather advisories as the system evolves.
