New Delhi / Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued widespread high-level weather alerts across East and Central India following the formation and intensification of a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal belts of Gangetic West Bengal and North Odisha. Meteorological models indicate that the active monsoon system is tracking west-northwestwards across North Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, sustaining heavy to extremely heavy precipitation through the first week of September. For continuous real-time coverage on monsoon tracking, disaster management updates, and regional transit alerts, access our national weather desk.

Odisha on High Alert: Red and Orange Warnings Issued

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in Odisha and district disaster response teams have been placed on emergency standby as the weather system delivers intense downpours across several catchments:

  • Red Warning (>20 cm Rainfall): The IMD has issued a Red Warning indicating extremely heavy precipitation exceeding 20 cm for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore districts. Local administrations have prepared evacuation plans for vulnerable low-lying riverine pockets.
  • Orange Warning (7–20 cm Rainfall): Heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts have been enforced across Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda.
  • Western Odisha Belt: As the low-pressure center moves inland, western districts including Sundargarh, Bargarh, and Nuapada are slated for heavy spells.
  • River Basins & Marine Advisory: Major northern river basins—including the Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Baitarani, and Jalaka—face elevated risk of localized flash floods, road inundation, and soil subsidence. With squally winds reaching 40–50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over the North Bay of Bengal, fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea.

West Bengal: Heavy Downpours and Coastal Squalls

In West Bengal, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has warned of widespread thunderstorm activity, lightning, and intense rain bands across southern and coastal districts:

  • South Bengal Impact: Districts including East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, South 24 Parganas, Bankura, and Purulia are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall.
  • Coastal and Urban Monitoring: Maritime authorities have regulated small vessel movement along Diamond Harbour and Digha, while civic bodies in suburban Kolkata and low-lying industrial belts have deployed high-capacity pumps to mitigate urban waterlogging.

Jharkhand, Bihar, and Central India Outlook

The monsoon trough's alignment is driving significant rainfall activity across neighboring regional corridors:

  • Jharkhand: Widespread rain with isolated heavy downpours is forecast over Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Daltonganj, and southern tribal districts, elevating water levels in local check dams.
  • Bihar: Southern and eastern districts including Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Banka face isolated heavy showers, maintaining river discharge levels along southern Ganga tributaries.
  • Central & Northeast India: The westward trajectory of the system will channel moist air into northern Chhattisgarh, while fairly widespread rainfall continues across Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.