IMD issues red alert as fresh low-pressure area forms over Bay of Bengal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red warning' for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha after a fresh low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal. Some areas may receive over 20 cm of rain within 24 hours, the IMD said. Schools and colleges in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Baleshwar districts will remain closed on Monday.

This new weather system follows a previous low-pressure area that intensified into a depression on August 12 and triggered floods in six northern districts. The state government has put all district collectors on alert and asked urban authorities to stay on high alert. The Special Relief Commissioner said flood conditions remain grim in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, where around 2.70 lakh people have been affected across 503 villages.

IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along West Bengal, Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts from August 16 to 18. The low-pressure area is expected to move northwestwards and become more marked over the next 24 hours. The government has set up 293 relief camps and evacuated about 2.37 lakh people so far.