IMD warns of fresh low-pressure area, heavy rain in Odisha for 3 more days

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that rain will continue across Odisha for at least three more days, with a fresh low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal. The system, which has developed over the northwest and adjoining West Bengal, North Odisha coasts, is expected to move northwestwards and become more marked in the next 24 hours. The IMD has issued an orange alert for four districts and a yellow alert for nine, forecasting isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over north Odisha, with extremely heavy rain likely on August 17 in Mayurbhanj and parts of West Bengal.

The fresh weather system comes on the heels of a depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal on August 12 and has already worsened flooding in northern Odisha. Odishatv.in reports that another cyclonic circulation is expected over the North Bay of Bengal around August 19, which may lead to a new low-pressure area by August 20, bringing more rain to coastal and central Odisha. Business Today notes that squally winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely along the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh from August 16 to 18.

The flood situation remains grim. Business Today, citing the Special Relief Commissioner's office, reports that six districts, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar, are affected, with around one lakh people evacuated and 2.70 lakh people impacted across 503 villages. Rivers including the Baitarani, Brahmani, and Salandi have risen above danger levels. The Subarnarekha river, which had been rising, receded on August 15 and was flowing below its danger mark at Rajghat.