Odisha on alert for heavy rainfall as low-pressure area strengthens

Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today),.July 19: A well-marked low-pressure area over the central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal has shifted to the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday, this low-pressure area is expected to intensify into a depression within the next 12 hours and move northwestwards, crossing the Odisha coast within the following 24 hours.
The latest IMD forecast predicts squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, affecting the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and the coasts of North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal over the next 48 hours.
In light of the developing low-pressure system, the weather office has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, as well as the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, over the next two days.
Most parts of Odisha are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next five days due to the low-pressure system, according to IMD alerts.
For July 19 and 20, the IMD has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) in one or two places across the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Boudh, and Puri.
The state government has issued a warning to Collectors of six districts to be prepared for any potential emergencies arising from the heavy rainfall. The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has advised districts under orange and yellow warnings to have administrative machinery ready to respond to any eventualities.