Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: A low-pressure area that has developed over the northwestern Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the Odisha coast by Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday. The system is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall, particularly affecting western Odisha.

According to the IMD forecast, districts such as Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with some areas likely to record over 200 mm of precipitation. Other regions of western Odisha are also expected to experience significant downpours.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that Odisha is expected to receive normal rainfall during September, while the country overall may witness above-normal precipitation for the month. As of early September, India has recorded 107% of the normal rainfall, which is about 7% above average.

“Typically, 13 to 14 low-pressure systems or depressions form during the monsoon season. This year, up to 16 such systems are likely,” Mohapatra added, noting that southwestern Odisha usually experiences more rainfall during such events.

The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms with rain across coastal, interior, and southern Odisha on Thursday. On Friday, heavy rainfall is forecast in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Bargarh districts. Very heavy rainfall is expected to continue in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur on September 6.

The low-pressure system is expected to intensify further by Wednesday, becoming a well-marked low-pressure area, and is likely to move in a west-northwest direction, the IMD said.