IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert for Odisha Ahead of Puri Rath Yatra as Bay of Bengal Low-Pressure System Intensifies

According to the IMD's midday bulletin, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal and the adjoining west Bangladesh coast within the next 24 hours. Under the influence of the developing weather system, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to affect Puri from Wednesday until Friday morning.

The IMD stated that heavy rainfall is also likely in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak districts before Wednesday morning. In view of the anticipated severe weather conditions, the department has placed these three districts under a Red Warning, advising authorities and the public to take immediate action.

With sea conditions expected to remain rough to very rough, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast from July 14 to July 18.

For Tuesday, the IMD issued an Orange Warning for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Jajpur, Khurdha, Puri, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts, urging residents and authorities to remain prepared for adverse weather conditions. A Yellow Warning has also been issued for Deogarh, Sundargarh, Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, and Rayagada districts, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall and the need for increased vigilance.

For Wednesday, Jagatsinghpur district has been placed under a Red Warning, while Orange Warnings have been issued for Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Khurdha, Puri, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts. Yellow Warnings have been issued for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts for July 15.

The IMD has further forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Khurdha, Puri, Jajpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts on July 16, coinciding with the Rath Yatra celebrations.

The weather advisory assumes heightened significance as Puri prepares to host one of the country's largest religious gatherings, with lakhs of pilgrims expected to participate in the Rath Yatra. Authorities are expected to closely monitor the evolving weather situation as the low-pressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal and rainfall intensifies across Odisha.