Bhubaneswar, July 5:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is expected to cross the north Odisha coast near Balasore within the next 24 hours.
The system is likely to bring widespread rainfall across the state. The IMD has issued a Red Alert for eight districts—Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Angul, Boudh, Subarnapur and Kandhamal—warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Orange and Yellow alerts remain in place for several other districts.
Odisha has received 265.5 mm of rainfall since June 1, about 4% above the seasonal average. While many districts have recorded normal to excess rainfall, six districts continue to face rainfall deficits.
The IMD has also warned of rough sea conditions until July 7. Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all Odisha ports, and fishermen have been advised to stay off the sea.
