Bhubaneswar, May 28: Odisha is expected to witness above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, according to forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A low-pressure area formed over the northwestern Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast on Tuesday morning is likely to intensify further, bringing widespread rainfall across the state.
The system is gradually moving northwards and is expected to become a well-marked low-pressure area within the next 48 hours. The Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC), under the Ministry of Education and Research, has also indicated the potential for the system to develop into a depression, moving northeastwards thereafter.
In light of the anticipated weather conditions, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has directed all district collectors to remain on alert and take necessary precautions.
The IMD has issued orange warnings for several districts on Wednesday (May 28) and Thursday (May 29). On Wednesday, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput, and Rayagada are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by wind speeds of 50 to 60 km/h.
Other districts, including Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar, may also experience moderate to heavy rainfall with winds reaching 40 to 50 km/h. Thunderstorms are likely across parts of western Odisha.
On Thursday, an orange warning remains in effect for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara, where heavy to very heavy rain is forecast. Coastal and southern Odisha may also face strong winds of 50 to 60 km/h during this period.
As the weather system continues to influence regional conditions, widespread rainfall is expected across most parts of the state. On May 30, several areas in western and southern Odisha are likely to receive heavy rain, while Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar could witness significant showers on May 31.
Rainfall linked to the low-pressure system has already been recorded in some regions on Tuesday.
The IMD has projected that India may receive up to 106% of average rainfall during the current monsoon season, which spans from June to September.
