IMD issues an orange alert for five southern Odisha districts as Cyclone Murasu moves toward Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds
OdishaPlus Bureau
Southern Odisha is bracing for another spell of heavy rainfall as Cyclone Murasu is expected to influence weather conditions across the state over the next few days, even as several districts continue to recover from the impact of Cyclone Arnab.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on November 3 and 4.
Although the system is not expected to make a direct landfall in Odisha, its movement towards the south Andhra Pradesh coast is likely to trigger widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds in several parts of the state.
According to the IMD forecast, the system is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal before crossing the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur by the morning of November 3. Wind speeds during landfall are expected to reach 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
Weather activity in Odisha is likely to increase from Sunday, with several places expected to receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms and rainfall in 16 districts.
On November 2, southern Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall, with heavy showers of 7-12 cm expected at isolated places in Ganjam and Gajapati. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely in several coastal and southern districts.
The situation is expected to intensify on November 3 and 4. Besides the five districts under orange warning, isolated heavy rainfall is forecast in Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagada, Khordha and Puri on November 3.
On November 4, heavy rainfall is likely to continue in the five southern districts, while Nuapada, Nayagada, Puri, Khordha, Bolangir and Baragada may also receive heavy showers.
The IMD has advised people to follow weather bulletins, take shelter during thunderstorms to avoid lightning strikes and comply with traffic advisories in urban areas.
Rainfall activity is expected to gradually decline from November 5, although isolated places may continue to experience light to moderate showers and thunderstorms. Conditions are likely to improve considerably on November 6 and 7.
The latest weather development has put southern Odisha on alert, particularly after the recent flooding and disruption caused by Cyclone Arnab. The possibility of another spell of heavy rainfall has raised concerns over waterlogging, localised flooding and the difficulties of restoring normalcy in already affected areas.