Bhubaneswar: Odisha witnessed widespread rainfall, including exceptionally heavy downpours in several southern districts, as the remnants of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ continued to weaken while moving northwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Thursday.
The depression, which is the remnant of Cyclone Arnab, moved nearly northwards at a speed of around 23 kmph during the past six hours. It was centred over central parts of Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of Odisha, about 170 km west of Titlagarh and 270 km west-southwest of Sambalpur, according to the IMD.
The weather system is very likely to continue moving northwards and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining northwestern Odisha by the evening of October 29.
Meanwhile, another low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining areas persisted Thursday. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, adjoining areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Sea around October 31.
The system is likely to intensify further and continue moving west-northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the subsequent two days, the IMD said.
Odisha experienced widespread rainfall during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am Thursday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places and extremely heavy rainfall of 21 cm or more at isolated locations in southern Odisha.
According to meteorological sources, exceptionally heavy rainfall was recorded in several districts, with Ganjam, Kandhamal and Gajapati among the worst-affected areas.
Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded the highest rainfall at 546 mm, followed by Sorada in Ganjam with 503 mm. G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal received 462 mm, while Mahendragarh in Gajapati recorded 458 mm.
Sanakhemundi in Ganjam received 388 mm of rainfall, while Chikiti in the same district recorded 309 mm during the period.
The depression remains under continuous surveillance by the Doppler Weather Radar at Raipur. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers at most places across Odisha.
In view of the possibility of further heavy rainfall, the IMD has issued a red warning for Sundargarh and Bargarh districts in western Odisha.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy downpours at isolated places, is likely in these districts, the weather office warned.
An orange warning has also been issued for Sonpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Debagada districts, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.
The weather conditions may disrupt normal life in vulnerable areas, particularly in locations prone to waterlogging, flooding and damage to crops.
Squally weather, with wind speeds of 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph, was likely to prevail until noon October 29 before gradually weakening, the IMD said.
Sea conditions were expected to remain rough to very rough over the northwestern Bay of Bengal and along and off the West Bengal coast until noon Thursday, improving gradually thereafter.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into the northwestern Bay of Bengal and along and off the West Bengal-Odisha coast until noon October 29.
Meanwhile, Local Cautionary Signal No. III (LC-III) remained hoisted at all ports in Odisha in view of the prevailing weather conditions.
The weather office warned that strong winds could damage plantations, horticultural crops and standing crops.
Loose or unsecured structures may also suffer minor damage, while vulnerable structures could sustain partial damage.
People have been advised to closely monitor weather updates and remain prepared to move to safer locations if conditions deteriorate.
With the remnants of Cyclone Arnab weakening and a fresh low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal, Odisha remains under close weather watch as the state braces for further rainfall activity.
