IMD issues orange warning for Odisha as low-pressure system intensifies over Bay of Bengal

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for parts of Odisha as a well-marked low-pressure area continues to persist over the northwest Bay of Bengal, close to the north Odisha coast. As of 8:30 am on Wednesday, the associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestwards with increasing height.

According to forecasts, the system is likely to move west-northwestwards, impacting north Odisha, adjoining Jharkhand, and north Chhattisgarh within the next 24 hours.

The orange alert covers Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack, where heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph is expected at one or two locations.

A yellow warning has also been issued for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Boudh, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Sundargarh, Balasore, and Kendrapara, predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, districts such as Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada have also been placed under yellow warning for thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds.

The IMD cautioned that unstable weather conditions may persist until September 8, urging residents to remain vigilant as heavy downpours could trigger waterlogging, flash floods, and transport disruptions in vulnerable areas.