Fresh low pressure likely Over Equatorial Indian Ocean; Odisha to see dry spell, rain from Feb 23

Weather systems over the Equatorial Indian Ocean continue to remain active, with a fresh upper air cyclonic circulation developing even as an existing low-pressure area persists over the region.

Fresh Low Pressure Likely in Next 24 Hours

At 8:30 AM IST on February 19, 2026, a fresh upper air cyclonic circulation was observed over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level.

Under its influence, a new Low Pressure Area (LPA) is likely to form over the same region within the next 24 hours. The system is expected to move west-northwest thereafter.

Earlier, a Low Pressure Area over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal was reported to have persisted over the same region as of 8:30 AM IST today. This system is likely to move west-northwestwards towards Sri Lanka and become less marked over the next 24 hours.

A trough in lower tropospheric levels also extends from the cyclonic circulation associated with the existing low-pressure area to the Lakshadweep region, which may enhance moisture flow and convective activity over parts of southern India.

National Weather Impact

Under the influence of these systems:

Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over:

Andaman & Nicobar Islands on February 19

South Tamil Nadu and Kerala & Mahe on February 21 and 22

Isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) likely over:

Uttarakhand and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on February 19

Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Mahe on February 21 and 22

Thunderstorm and lightning likely over:

Madhya Pradesh on February 19

Kerala & Mahe on February 20 and 23

Isolated rainfall/snowfall likely over:

Himachal Pradesh on February 23

Uttarakhand between February 22 and 24

Isolated light rainfall with thunderstorm & lightning likely over:

Odisha on February 23 and 24

Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand on February 24

Odisha Weather Forecast (February 20–25)

Day 2 (Feb 20–21; 0830 hrs IST to 0830 hrs IST): Dry weather is very likely to prevail across Odisha. Shallow to moderate fog is likely during early morning hours at one or two places over Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.

Day 3 (Feb 21–22): Dry weather is very likely to prevail across all districts.

Day 4 (Feb 22–23): Dry weather is likely to continue across the state.

Day 5 (Feb 23–24): Light rain or thundershower very likely at one or two places over Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur, Jajpur, and Dhenkanal.

Day 6 (Feb 24–25): Light rain or thundershower very likely at one or two places over Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Khordha, and Puri.

Dry weather is likely over the rest of Odisha.