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Thick fog blanketing parts of western Odisha, particularly the stretch between Bonai and Tensa in Sundargarh district, has thrown normal life out of gear, compounding the impact of continuous rainfall gripping the region for over 20 days.
Sources reported that the unusual mid-monsoon fog is causing major visibility issues, particularly for ambulances, bikers, and truck drivers using this critical route.
Residents and commuters are reporting dangerous travel conditions, with dense fog severely limiting visibility during key hours of the day.
While fog is typically a winter phenomenon, the persistence of this low-lying haze during the monsoon has added an unexpected layer of risk for those already battling the challenges posed by heavy downpours and waterlogged roads.
Monsoon Chaos Intensifies Across Odisha
The situation remains tense as Odisha continues to experience widespread rainfall due to a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal, intensified by an active upper-air cyclonic circulation.
The system, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), moved slowly west-northwestward across Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh, keeping northern and western Odisha under a persistent rain threat for the past two days.
The IMD has placed several districts under red, orange, and yellow warnings, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds until July 12.
Districts including Keonjhar, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, and Nuapada are expected to be the worst hit, while Bolangir, Subarnapur, Boudh, and Kalahandi are likely to receive continued heavy showers.
The current synoptic setup includes a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting south-westward with height. Satellite imagery shows intense convective cloud cover over large portions of the North and east-central Bay of Bengal, sustaining the rainfall system over Odisha.
