Heavy rain to lash several Odisha districts today; IMD issues multiple warnings

Widespread rainfall is expected to drench more than half of Odisha on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing orange and yellow warnings for several districts. 

Intense downpours accompanied by lightning have been forecasted, particularly across the western and southern belts of the state.

Orange Warning for Three Districts

The districts of Bargarh, Bolangir, and Nuapada have been placed under an orange warning and are expected to experience very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and lightning. The warning urges residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing into open areas during thunderstorm activity.

Yellow Alert Across Central and Coastal Odisha

A yellow warning has also been issued for a wide region of the state. In western and central Odisha, districts such as Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh are likely to experience heavy rainfall with lightning activity. 

Meanwhile, lighter showers accompanied by lightning are expected in coastal districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati.

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Local authorities have been asked to keep response teams on standby to address any emergency caused by flash floods, waterlogging, or lightning strikes.

Rain Intensity to Ease Tomorrow

According to the regional weather office, the intensity of rainfall is likely to decrease from tomorrow. However, yellow warnings for heavy rainfall remain in effect on July 9 for districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Bolangir, and Nuapada.

The wet spell is being attributed to the active southwest monsoon combined with a low-pressure system formed over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha.

The system is expected to move gradually northwestward, sustaining moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours in many interior districts.