TV
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned of further intensification of rainfall across Odisha, with seven districts placed under a yellow warning and alerts issued for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across the state.
The IMD’s regional weather office in Bhubaneswar stated that widespread rain is expected to continue till August 23, as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen into a depression.
Depression Near Odisha Coast
According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area persisted over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, on Monday.
The associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 9.6 km above mean sea level, with a southwestward tilt in higher altitudes. The system is likely to intensify into a depression and cross the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast by forenoon on August 19.
The monsoon trough currently extends from Naliya in Gujarat through Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to the Bay of Bengal, further fuelling the rain-bearing system. As a result, light to moderate showers are expected in most parts of Odisha, with isolated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts.
District-Wise Alerts
The IMD issued a red warning for Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur, where extremely heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are likely.
An orange warning was issued for Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Kandhamal, while yellow warnings were sounded for Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Nayagarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, and Boudh, among others.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also expected in several northern and western districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Mayurbhanj. The IMD cautioned residents to remain alert to possible disruptions and advised authorities to prepare for flood-like conditions in low-lying areas.
Malkangiri Worst Affected
Malkangiri district has already borne the brunt of the fresh spell of heavy rainfall. Continuous downpours since Sunday submerged major roads and bridges, cutting off connectivity with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. Traffic on National Highway-326 was brought to a standstill after sections near Poteru and Kankarakonda went under four to five feet of water.
The Kanyashram bridge on the Kalimela–Podia route was inundated by nearly six feet of floodwater, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides. Several residential areas in Malkangiri town reported waterlogging, with rainwater entering homes and forcing families to move to safer locations.
The IMD has forecast that the rain will continue across most districts till at least August 23.
