Odisha Braces for Extremely Heavy Rain as IMD Issues Red Warning
Heavy rainfall has battered Odisha over the past 24 hours as a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified and moved northwestwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The agency has issued a 'red warning' — meaning 'take action' — for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the entire State.
The IMD’s morning bulletin stated that the system, currently over North Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh-West Bengal coast, is likely to continue moving northwestwards across Gangetic West Bengal towards Jharkhand. It may concentrate into a depression during the next 12 hours, the agency added. A depression is a weather system stronger than a low-pressure area but less intense than a tropical cyclone.
Besides Odisha, the IMD warned that Gangetic West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand would also feel the impact of the ongoing wet spell. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha-West Bengal-Bangladesh coast until August 14, in view of the rough sea conditions.
The Meteorological Centre (MC), Bhubaneswar, reported that the highest rainfall of 236 mm was recorded at Bhograi in Balasore district, followed by 230 mm at Shyamakhuntam, 215 mm at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, and 204 mm at Rajghat in Balasore district. Balasore town recorded the highest rainfall of 137 mm by 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. Very heavy rains were also reported from the Similipal Hills in Mayurbhanj.
The intense rainfall caused rivers such as Budhabalanga and Jalaka in Balasore district to swell, leading to waterlogging in large parts of Balasore town, according to an official. In Mayurbhanj, authorities declared the closure of all educational institutions on Thursday in response to the heavy downpour that began the previous night.
A notification issued by the district administration said that while schools would remain closed, all headmasters, headmistresses, principals and teachers were required to attend their respective institutions as usual. They have been directed to inform students and their parents or guardians about the closure through available communication channels, including class WhatsApp groups, phone calls and SMS.
The Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said wind speeds along the Odisha coast could reach 30 to 40 kmph under the influence of the low-pressure system. Residents have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorms and lightning, and to follow weather advisories issued by the authorities.
Officials said they are closely monitoring the situation and have asked district administrations to stay prepared for any eventuality. The IMD is expected to issue further updates as the system evolves.
