Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 2: A depression has formed over the Southern Bay of Bengal and is expected to bring heavy rains to Odisha, according to reports on Friday. The regional Meteorological center in Bhubaneswar indicated that the cyclonic circulation is likely to develop into a low-pressure system.
The Meteorological office issued a rain alert on Thursday for 21 districts in Odisha. An alert has been specifically issued for six districts—Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Bargarh—predicting heavy rainfall today. The MeT office further stated that heavy rains are expected to continue across the state for the next two days.
A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for 21 districts today. The Odisha State Relief Commissioner (SRC) has alerted District Magistrates to prepare for potential flooding, especially in slum areas. Measures for water drainage, including the deployment of pumps, have been arranged. The government has been instructed to provide an immediate report on any damage caused. Rainfall is expected to decrease from August 3.
Since the onset of the monsoon season on June 1, Odisha has recorded a total of 489.5 mm of rainfall, with a shortfall of 11 percent from the normal expected 550.7 mm. Malkangiri district has received above-normal rainfall, while three other districts have also recorded more than average rainfall. Fourteen districts have experienced normal rainfall, and twelve districts have received moderate rainfall.
