Odisha braces for rainfall as low-pressure system forms over Bay of Bengal

Bhubaneswar, May 18: A low-pressure system has developed over the Bay of Bengal, prompting forecasts of potential rainfall, according to the Meteorological Department.

The low-pressure area currently resides in the Southwest Bay of Bengal region, with projections suggesting a northeastward movement initially. It is anticipated to further strengthen and transform into precipitation over the Central Bay of Bengal by May 24. However, the precise trajectory of its movement remains uncertain.

Concurrently, a dry westerly circulation in the middle and upper atmosphere is anticipated to elevate temperatures over the next fortnight. Several districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati are expected to experience thunder and lightning. A yellow alert has been issued by the weather department, indicating the persistence of heatwave conditions until the morning of May 22.

The India Meteorological Department's regional center has projected a potential rise of two to four degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures over the next four to five days in Odisha.

In a social media update, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar tweeted, "Maximum Temperature (day temperature) likely to gradually rise by 2 to 4 degree Celsius in subsequent 4 to 5 days at many places over the districts of Odisha."