Odisha likely to experience heavy downpour: IMD

Odisha is likely to experience heavy downpour due to formation of another low pressure area over north Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood on July 20, the IMD said today.

India Meteorological Department (IMD), in a press release said there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in coastal and north Odisha from the night of July 21.

The IMD in its warning for fishermen has asked the community to return to coast from deep sea on July 20 and not to venture into the sea on July 21 and July 22 due to the possible low pressure area.

The Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) of the SOA University said Odisha may experience heavy rains again this week with a cyclonic circulation likely to form over the north-west Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours and there was high probability of it developing into a low pressure on July 20.

"This may cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts as also in Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts between tomorrow and July 21," SC Sahu, Director of CEC, said.

Sahu said heavy to very heavy rainfall may also occur in the north and western Odisha districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Subarnapur and Boudh as also the adjoining areas of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh between July 21 and 23.

The districts of Jajpur, Kendrapara, Angul and Dhenkanal were also likely to experience heavy rainfall during the period, he said.

Sahu further said that the low pressure may concentrate into a depression on July 22. "Heavy precipitation was likely in both the upper and lower catchments of the Mahanadi while heavy to very heavy rainfall could occur in the Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga river catchments between July 21 and 23," he said.

Meanwhile, the state government has asked all the district collectors to remain watchful of the possible formation of low pressure area in Bay of Bengal.