Finance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a multi-day weather notice for Odisha, predicting widespread light to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds throughout the state.
The warning comes as an existing low-pressure system in the region is expected to be followed by a more substantial weather storm forming over the Bay of Bengal later this week.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar’s lunchtime bulletin, a low-pressure region is currently over the coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal and neighboring north Odisha. This system is expected to last for the next 24 hours and influence weather patterns.
Greater concern is the possibility of a new low-pressure region emerging over the northwest Bay of Bengal around September 25. The IMD predicts that this system would form a depression and cross the shores of South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh around September 27.
The IMD has issued a series of color-coded warnings for all 30 districts in Odisha over the next seven days.
Day 1 (Today until Wednesday morning): An Orange Warning (Be Prepared) for heavy to very heavy rain is in effect for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Koraput, and Malkangiri. A Yellow Warning (Be Aware) for heavy rain and thunderstorms covers most other districts.
Day 2 & 3: The Orange Warning shifts to western districts like Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur on Day 2, and back to southern districts like Koraput and Malkangiri on Day 3.
Days 4 to 7: The intensity of warnings is expected to gradually decrease, but widespread rainfall activity will continue, with Yellow Warnings remaining for several districts.
The meteorological service has issued a warning of potential consequences, including damage to susceptible structures, standing crops, plantations, and kutcha roads. Localized floods, waterlogging in metropolitan areas, power and communication line outages, and traffic interruptions are also possible.
The IMD has warned the public to avoid susceptible constructions and needless travel during heavy rains.
A stern warning has been issued for fisherman due to the expected rough sea conditions. Squally weather with wind gusts of 45-55 kmph is forecast today through September 24, increasing to 50-60 kmph between September 25 and September 27.
Fishermen have been strongly urged not to enter the sea off the Odisha coast or the north Bay of Bengal during this time.
