Heavy Rains Threaten Odisha Just Ahead of Puja Festivities
Heavy rains from Bay low-pressure threaten festivals and coasts.
Just as Odisha bids farewell to the annual monsoon on Tuesday, a menacing low-pressure system brewing over the Bay of Bengal is set to unleash a fresh wave of heavy downpours, putting the entire state on high alert and casting a shadow over upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
In a latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that a "well-marked low-pressure area" has formed over the westcentral Bay of Bengal. This system is poised to move northwestwards, intensifying into a depression over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 2. It is expected to further strengthen into a deep depression before slamming into the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts during the early hours of October 3, bringing gale-force winds and relentless rainfall.
The Odisha government, acting swiftly, has directed all 30 district collectors to mobilize personnel, heavy machinery, and emergency response teams. "We are preparing for the worst—waterlogging in urban areas, flash floods in low-lying regions, potential landslides in hilly terrains, and disruptions to power and transport," said a senior official from the Special Relief Commissioner's office. Evacuation drills are underway in vulnerable coastal districts like Ganjam and Puri, where past storms have caused significant damage.
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Today's forecast paints a gloomy picture for southern Odisha: light to moderate rainfall is expected across 25 districts, with isolated heavy spells (7-11 cm) hammering Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur. Thunderstorms laced with gusty winds up to 40 kmph could exacerbate the chaos, leading to uprooted trees and traffic snarls in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
The deluge won't let up anytime soon. On October 2, all 30 districts will likely be drenched, with moderate rainfall (7-20 cm) in isolated pockets of Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Districts like Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar face 7-11 cm downpours, raising fears of river overflows in the Mahanadi and Brahmani basins. By October 3, the deep depression's landfall could trigger extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in coastal belts, potentially swelling reservoirs and flooding agricultural fields just as kharif harvest season kicks off.
For fishermen, the warning is stark: IMD has issued a blanket advisory against venturing into the sea along and off the Odisha coast from October 1 to 4. Squally conditions with winds gusting 40-50 kmph are anticipated, making the waters treacherous. "This is a direct threat to livelihoods—hundreds of boats are already docked, and families are bracing for income losses," noted a fisherman from Paradip.
The timing couldn't be worse. With Durga Puja pandals springing up across the state and festivities slated to peak from October 2-5, organizers are scrambling. In Bhubaneswar alone, over 150 pandals risk waterlogging, while rural processions in Mayurbhanj and Balasore could be washed out. "We're using tarpaulin sheets and pumps, but if the rains hit as predicted, it might dampen the spirit of Devi's homecoming," lamented a puja committee head from Cuttack. Social media is abuzz with concerns, as posts from locals highlight the irony of monsoon withdrawal followed by this "post-monsoon surprise."
Experts link this erratic weather to the delayed monsoon retreat and warming sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal, which fuel rapid intensification. IMD scientist U S Das, who announced the monsoon's official end on X, cautioned that while the system has low-to-moderate chances of escalating into a cyclone, its depression stage alone could dump 100-150 mm of rain in 24 hours over vulnerable spots.
Beyond Odisha, ripple effects are felt in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, where similar alerts are in place, and even West Bengal, where Puja preparations face a drenching. The government has ramped up relief stockpiles, including sandbags, life jackets, and food kits, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on standby in Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.
Residents are urged to stay indoors during peak rain hours, avoid riverbanks, and monitor local advisories via the IMD app. As the state hunkers down, the hope is that this uninvited guest passes quickly, sparing Odisha's vibrant festival season from total washout. For updates, follow IMD's Bhubaneswar center closely—stay safe, Odisha!
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