Bhubaneswar: A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts continues to trigger widespread rainfall across the state, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to extremely heavy showers in several districts till July 7.
The system intensified at 5.30 am on Friday. It is interacting with the seasonal monsoon trough, extending from northwest Rajasthan across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, bringing much-needed relief after a sluggish monsoon advance that left a significant rainfall deficit through June.
The well-marked low-pressure is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon further in the short term, with light to moderate rain at most places and continued heavy spells possible in the coming week.
The IMD has issued a red warning for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy showers possible at one or two places in districts including Sambalpur, Sonpur, Anugola, Boudh, and Kandhamala on July 4. Orange Warnings cover Kendujhar, Kataka, Dhenkanal, Nayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, and Rayagada. Yellow Warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain has been sounded for Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Puri, Debagada, Sundargada, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir and Baragada.
Authorities urge residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel during intense spells, and follow official updates. Squally weather with winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is also likely along the coast.
In view of rough to very rough sea conditions, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast till July 7. Port authorities at Paradip and Dhamra have been asked to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No. III (LC-3).
Rain deficit drops to 26%
In the last 24 hours, the State recorded a substantial 130 mm rainfall surplus overall. Sixteen districts saw large excess rainfall (60% or more above normal), while eight had excess (20-59%). Ambabhona in Bargarh district recorded the highest at 317 mm, followed by notable amounts in Balangir (147 mm), Kantamal (127.2 mm), and several others exceeding 85 mm.
Overnight and daytime showers continued, with places like Chatrapur (83.2 mm), Gopalpur, and Baragada also reporting significant downpours. Bhubaneswar recorded around 28.6 mm in one period.
Despite the revival, pockets like Baleshwar, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada remain rain-deficient, though the ongoing system is likely to bring relief there soon. The rains have helped reduce the overall seasonal deficit from 47% at the end of June to about 26% as of early July. Reservoir levels are also improving, with Hirakud Dam showing healthy inflows.
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