Odisha should prepare for more rainfall in the next four, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. The IMD said coastal areas and places across north interior Odisha, Sonepur and Boudh, may witness thunderstorms and lightning. It also advised fishermen against venturing into the sea off the south Odisha coast and northwest adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal from July 15 to 16.
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal will bring more showers to the state before another is likely to follow on July 19, Friday, the IMD said.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) may hit some places in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada on July 15. Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Balangir may experience heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm).
"Fishermen are advised to not to venture into the sea area of south Odisha coast, northwest adjoining west central Bay of Bengal during 15th and 16th July, 2024," the IMD said in the bulletin.
While no specific weather warnings are issued for July 16, heavy rains may resume on July 17 in places such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Malkangiri, and Koraput, coinciding with the potential formation of another low-pressure area around July 19 in west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal.
July 18 could see heavy rains in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Balangir, the IMD said.
The IMD has issued warnings for July 19, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Koraput and Malkangiri, with heavy rains likely in Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal districts, it added.
Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has instructed district collectors to keep emergency response measures ready and report any incidents of heavy to very heavy rainfall promptly to the state government.
