Bhubaneswar, Jul 23: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alert of heavy rainfall across several districts of the State starting July 24.

According to IMD's latest bulletin, a cyclonic circulation has developed over the North Bay of Bengal, which is expected to evolve into a low-pressure area by Thursday (July 24).

The system may intensify further by Thursday night or Friday, moving westward toward Jharkhand and Northern Chhattisgarh, influencing widespread rainfall over Odisha, said the IMD.

Starting Wednesday, rainfall activity is expected to intensify across Odisha. Districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada are likely to receive heavy showers.

On Thursday, Mayurbhanj and Balasore may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. Other districts including Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Angul are also expected to receive significant rainfall.

Districts such as Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri may experience thundershowers accompanied by rain.

On July 25, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak are again forecasted to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. By July 26, districts including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi are likely to be affected by intense showers.

Following the intense downpour, water level may increase in major rivers like Baitarini, Brahmani, Mahanadi, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga, which are currently flowing below warning and danger levels.

With excess water already emptied, water reservoirs can hold floodwater now. Decision to open gates will be taken considering quantum of rainfall, said Chandra Sekhar Padhy, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department.

The IMD has advised district administrations to stay vigilant, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, and to monitor river water levels closely.

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