Heavy Rainfall Forecast for Odisha During 3rd Phase Of Twin Polls On May 25

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha during the third-round simultaneous elections scheduled for May 25. The affected areas include Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack Parliamentary constituencies along with the Assembly seats within them.

According to the latest bulletin, Odisha is expected to experience isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall from May 20-24, with an escalation thereafter. From May 25-28, scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall is anticipated, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging from 30-40 kmph. Additionally, isolated instances of heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely in north Odisha on May 24-25 due to a trough extending from northwest Uttar Pradesh to east Bangladesh in lower tropospheric levels.

On May 24, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada, with heavy rainfall in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Cuttack. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 40-50 kmph are also probable in select districts. On May 25, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Mayurbhanj, with heavy rainfall likely in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jajpur, and Keonjhar.

Moreover, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected in various regions of Odisha and neighbouring areas. The Met Office has also forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, potentially intensifying into a depression over the central parts of the Bay of Bengal by May 24 morning.

Under the influence of this weather system, squally winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are anticipated over the central Bay of Bengal from May 23, extending to adjoining areas of the North Bay of Bengal from May 24 onwards. Sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough over central Bay of Bengal from May 23 and over the North Bay of Bengal from May 24. Fishermen are advised to avoid venturing into these areas accordingly.