Odisha braces for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms due to forming low-pressure system

Bhubaneswar, May 26: Odisha is likely to witness widespread rainfall activity, including heavy to very heavy showers, starting this week due to a low-pressure area expected to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal by Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued this alert on Monday, highlighting a potential intensification in weather disturbances over the coming days.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, stated that several parts of the state will experience significant rainfall from Tuesday onward as the system develops.

On May 26, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and surface winds reaching 30–40 kmph are expected in the afternoon or evening hours across districts including Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, and Kandhamal. Similar weather is also likely in Jajpur, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, and others.

By May 27, stormy conditions with rain will persist, especially in Nuapada, Boudh, Sonepur, and coastal districts. Between May 28 and 29, the intensity is expected to peak with wind speeds reaching 40–50 kmph and very heavy rain likely in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi.