Odisha Issues Orange Alert As Seven Districts Face Heavy Rain And Thunderstorms

A fresh wave of heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast to hit Odisha, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for seven districts and a yellow alert for eleven others. As the state prepares for intense weather through July 4–7, regional authorities are focusing on preparedness, with risks of thunderstorms, gusty winds, and possible waterlogging looming large over key regions.

The orange alert — IMD’s second highest warning — applies to the districts of Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Sonepur, Bargarh, and Kalahandi, where intense rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 40 kmph are expected. The warnings come as Odisha continues to experience strong monsoonal activity, a pattern that meteorologists say may persist due to strengthening low-pressure conditions over the Bay of Bengal.
The rainfall outlook for July 4 predicts isolated but intense downpours over the western plateau zones of Odisha. IMD forecasts suggest that these storms will be accompanied by lightning and high surface winds, which could increase the risk of falling trees and temporary road blockages, especially in rural or semi-urban zones with fragile infrastructure.

Additionally, eleven districts — including Malkangiri, Bolangir, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Boudh, Angul, Deogarh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Ganjam — have been placed under a yellow alert, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall and storm conditions that could disrupt day-to-day mobility. While less severe than the orange alert, this advisory still signals a moderate risk to life and property, particularly in flood-prone areas and zones with poor drainage. For July 5, the weather office projects continued rainfall in pockets of Bargarh, Balangir, and Sonepur. These regions are expected to witness moderate to heavy rain events as the monsoon axis shifts slightly eastward, feeding inland moisture into Odisha’s interior belt.

By July 6, the rain bands are forecast to intensify once more, with fresh orange alerts issued for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh. These northern districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain, creating a possible risk of landslides in hilly terrain and crop inundation in low-lying agricultural zones. In addition, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore have been marked under a yellow alert for the same day. According to weather experts, the spatial distribution of rainfall may vary across the coastal and central belts, but the intensity remains a concern for short-duration flooding and travel disruptions.

Also Read: Heavy Rains Force Flight Diversions at Hyderabad International Airport 

 
Alert As Seven Districts Face Heavy Rain And Thunderstorms