Bhubaneswar, Aug 25: Odisha is likely to experience another spell of widespread rain over the coming week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing weather warnings for several districts from August 26 to September 1.
The forecast indicates that rainfall activity will vary across the state, with some districts likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may affect several other areas.
On August 26, a yellow warning has been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sambalpur, where heavy rain is expected at isolated places. No specific warning has been issued for August 27.
Rainfall activity is expected to increase from August 28, with heavy rain likely in parts of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Several coastal and northern districts may also experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of around 30-40 kmph.
The situation could intensify on August 29 and 30, when orange warnings have been issued for several districts for the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. On August 29, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj are under the orange alert, while Balasore, Sundargarh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Angul and Dhenkanal are among the districts under yellow warning.
On August 30, an orange warning has been issued for Balasore, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. A wider area, including parts of western, northern and coastal Odisha, remains under yellow warning.
The wet spell is expected to continue into August 31, with an orange warning covering Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Several neighbouring districts are also likely to receive heavy rainfall.
For September 1, the IMD has issued a yellow warning for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur and Deogarh.
The prolonged spell of rain could bring relief to areas dependent on monsoon rainfall, but intense showers may also create challenges such as waterlogging, poor road conditions, localised flooding and disruption to transport. Thunderstorms and lightning could pose additional risks, particularly in exposed and open areas.
With the forecast changing from day to day, residents in the warned districts are advised to follow official weather updates and exercise caution during periods of heavy rain, lightning and strong winds.
