Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: Odisha is likely to witness another spell of heavy rainfall towards the end of August, with a fresh weather system expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal, according to an agricultural weather bulletin issued by Professor Surendranath Pashupalak on Sunday.

The forecast suggests that north and western Odisha could receive more rainfall in the coming weeks, while parts of southern Odisha may continue to struggle with deficient rainfall.

Weather forecast: August 23–27

The low-pressure area that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal on August 23 is expected to move towards Chhattisgarh through northern Odisha over the next two to three days.

Between August 24 and 26, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda, as well as in the upper catchments of rivers.

By August 27–28, rainfall is expected to decrease and become largely confined to western-border districts, including Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Balangir.

Southern districts, meanwhile, may receive only light rainfall. As a result, the severe rainfall deficit in Ganjam and Gajapati is unlikely to improve significantly during this period. Rayagada and Koraput are also expected to receive limited rainfall.

Weather forecast: August 28–September 3

Rainfall is likely to ease somewhat on August 28–29 before another weather system develops over the Bay of Bengal around August 29–30.

The system is expected to intensify into another low-pressure area between August 31 and September 1 and move towards northern Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Its influence could bring another spell of heavy rainfall between August 30 and September 2, particularly over Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi.

However, southern Odisha is not expected to receive any significant rainfall during this period, potentially prolonging the region's rainfall deficit.

Weather forecast: September 4–10

Once the low-pressure system weakens, rainfall across Odisha is expected to decline. Coastal, northern, western and southern parts of the state are likely to receive generally light to moderate rainfall during the week.

The rainfall deficit in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada, however, is not expected to see any significant improvement.

Agricultural advisory for farmers

The forecast has important implications for farmers across different parts of Odisha.

Farmers in northern and western Odisha have been advised to make arrangements to drain excess water from paddy fields. They should also avoid applying fertilisers or pesticides during periods of rainfall.

In rainfall-deficient southern districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada, farmers have been advised to strengthen field bunds to conserve available rainwater.

Where paddy transplantation has been delayed because of inadequate rainfall, farmers have been advised to consider short-duration non-paddy crops or pulses as alternatives.