Bhubaneswar, Sept 25: Heavy rainfall continued to disrupt normal life across Odisha, with southern districts bearing the brunt of the weather system. Several parts of western, northern and coastal Odisha also experienced intermittent rain.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the intensity of rainfall is likely to remain high for another day, with widespread rain expected across the state on Friday, September 25. Rough seas are also likely to persist until September 25, prompting authorities to advise fishermen against venturing into the sea.

Southern and western Odisha, particularly areas bordering Chhattisgarh, are expected to receive the heaviest rainfall. One or two locations in Nuapada district may receive heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph.

Heavy rain is also likely at isolated places in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Wind speeds of around 30–40 kmph are likely in these areas.

Rainfall activity is expected to decrease slightly on Saturday, September 26, although several parts of the state may continue to receive rain. Bargarh and Nuapada may experience heavy rainfall accompanied by winds of 30–40 kmph.

From Sunday, September 27, rainfall is likely to decline considerably, with light to moderate rain expected at a few places.

A major relief for the state is that no fresh cyclonic circulation or low-pressure system is currently expected to develop. The IMD's extended-range forecast through October 7 indicates that the possibility of another spell of widespread heavy rainfall over the next two weeks remains relatively low.

Deep Depression Weakens, Moves Towards Chhattisgarh

The deep depression crossed the coast near Kalingapatnam, close to Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, late Wednesday night. At the time of landfall, the system generated sustained winds of 55–65 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 75 kmph.

The system brought heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to parts of southern Odisha, along with strong winds.

By Thursday evening, the deep depression was located over Koraput and Rayagada. It subsequently weakened into a depression and is expected to remain over Odisha until Friday morning before moving north-westward through southern and western Odisha towards Chhattisgarh.

Its projected track includes Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir and Nuapada. By around 11:30 am on Friday, the system is expected to have moved into Chhattisgarh after weakening further from a deep depression into a depression.

Flash Flood Threat in Southern Odisha

The Centre for Environment and Climate at SOA University has forecast that the system will continue moving towards Chhattisgarh, potentially bringing heavy rainfall to western Odisha. Rainfall is expected to gradually decrease from Friday, although isolated parts of western Odisha may still receive heavy showers.

Agricultural meteorologist Professor Surendranath Pasupalak has warned that persistent rainfall triggered by the deep depression could raise the risk of flash floods in southern Odisha.

He said southern and western Odisha could witness heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday, with water levels in the Indravati and Kolab rivers likely to rise.

Authorities and residents in vulnerable areas have therefore been advised to remain alert, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as the weather system continues to weaken and move inland.