Rain threat looms over Odisha Durga Puja as low pressure likely over Bay of Bengal: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that a fresh low-pressure system is set to form over the Bay of Bengal during the crucial days of Durga Puja festivities, bringing widespread rainfall across Odisha.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre of the IMD in Bhubaneswar, a cyclonic circulation is expected to develop over the north Andaman Sea on September 30 and intensify into a low-pressure area over the north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal by October 1.

Showers are likely to begin from Ashtami, intensify on Navami, and continue through Dashami. The southern and northern districts are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, with southern Odisha forecasted to experience the heaviest spells, according to the weather department’s forecast.

Current Synoptic Conditions

A trough currently extends from a well-marked low-pressure area over west Vidarbha and adjoining north Madhya Maharashtra to the west-central Bay of Bengal, passing through south Chhattisgarh and north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The trough extends up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. With an active monsoon trough and an upper air cyclonic circulation in place, rainfall is likely to persist until the fresh system develops over the Bay of Bengal. Further, the rainfall activity is expected to continue for at least four days.

"An upper air cyclonic circulation may form over the North Andaman Sea by September 30. Under its influence, a low-pressure area may form over the adjoining Bay of Bengal by October 1, which may then give rise to rainfall situations,” said Sanjib Dwivedi, IMD scientist.

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District-Wise Warnings

According to the IMD’s latest forecast, on September 29, light to moderate rain is forecast in many places in south Odisha and a few places in the north.

On September 30, rainfall is likely at scattered places in south Odisha, north coastal Odisha, and isolated places in north interior districts. The same thunderstorm warnings remain in effect.

From September 30 to October 1, light to moderate rainfall is forecast across several districts, with thunderstorms expected to continue.

Between October 1 and 2, widespread rainfall is expected. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.

Thunderstorm warnings extend to Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj.