Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), July 20: With a depression near the Odisha coast close to Chilika Lake remaining nearly stationary, the state is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) over the next 24 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday.
As of 8:30 a.m., the depression was located approximately 40 km south-southwest of Puri and 70 km east-northeast of Gopalpur. It is projected to move northwest across Odisha and Chhattisgarh and gradually weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area within the next 12 hours.
Heavy rainfall may persist in various districts of the state until July 24. The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) in one or two places across Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati on July 20. Additionally, heavy rain is anticipated in one or two locations in Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Balangir, Nayagarh, and Khurda.
The weather agency has warned of potential flash floods, waterlogging in low-lying areas, inundation of agricultural fields, and mudslides in vulnerable hilly regions. There may also be damage to kutcha roads, collapses of vulnerable kutcha houses, waterlogging in underpass roads, and reduced visibility leading to traffic congestion in urban areas. The downpour could significantly raise river water levels.
Squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, is expected over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, and along and off the North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts on July 20, gradually decreasing thereafter.
