Odisha faces heavy rain and flooding from Bay of Bengal low-pressure system

A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is causing heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange and yellow warnings for several districts. Significant rainfall has been recorded in Malkangiri, with Chitrakonda receiving 192 mm.

In Malkangiri, rising water levels in the Satiguda and Balimela reservoirs have caused concerns. The Balimela hydroelectric project has suspended power generation due to rising water levels. Flooding has also inundated agricultural fields and submerged bridges, disrupting local travel.

The IMD has issued marine warnings for the Odisha and West Bengal coasts, advising fishermen to avoid the North and Central Bay of Bengal due to rough sea conditions and squally winds reaching up to 60 kmph. While rainfall intensity is expected to fluctuate, heavy downpours are forecasted to persist in various northern and coastal districts through mid-September.