Bhubaneswar, Sep 12: Odisha is likely to face another round of heavy rainfall, as a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal on Friday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

In a statement, the IMD said, "A low-pressure area has developed over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation."

The system was observed at 8:30 AM and is expected to move west-northwestward across south Odisha, north Andhra Pradesh, and south Chhattisgarh over the next two days.

As a result, the IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts of Odisha on September 12. An orange warning has been issued for Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Heavy rainfall is also likely in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur.

Moderate thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds of 30–40 kmph are expected in Cuttack, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Khurda, Koraput, Nayagarh, and Sambalpur until 4:30 PM.

The IMD further warned that on September 13, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and wind speeds of 30–40 kmph may continue in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi districts.

Additionally, squally weather with wind speeds of 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, is expected along and off the south Odisha coast and over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal between September 12 and 13.

Given the rough to very rough sea conditions, fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into the sea during this period.