September 26, 2025

Hold on, Odisha! The rain gods are not playing this time. On September 25, 2025, the Odisha government raised a red flag for 18 districts after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced a low-pressure area brewing over the Bay of Bengal. Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh held a quick video meet to alert district chiefs and get everyone ready for the wet days ahead. Manorama Mohanty, Director at Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, revealed the secret behind this rain bonanza: "Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation over eastcentral and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal, a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal at 5.30 p.m." What’s more, this bad boy is expected to turn into a depression by the evening of September 26 and hit the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast early on September 27. The heaviest showers will lash Koraput and Malkangiri districts, with other parts of south Odisha also bracing for heavy rain. Responding swiftly, officials in Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur have called back all government staff from leave, ordering them to stay put to face the storm together. District collectors in Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Nuapada are also on high alert. Special Relief Commissioner Singh urged everyone to stay calm and prepared. "The State government is closely monitoring the situation. We request the public not to panic over the impending situation," he said, reassuring citizens that help is already on the way. Water resource chief C.S. Padhi added a splash of good news: "All the reservoirs in the southern region are capable of containing rainwater as they are half-filled. There is no flood threat in the region even if there is heavy rain." However, be ready for some river action since the Hirakud dam has opened 20 sluice gates to let out excess water. The dam is near its limit, holding water at 529.15 feet while its full level is 630 feet. Mr. Padhi further said, "It is expected that around 6 lakh cusec of water will flow at the Mundali barrage near Cuttack on Friday." So, while the rains promise to drench the land, the reservoirs are ready for the watery challenge. Keep umbrellas ready and fingers crossed for safety!

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Odisha rain, Low-pressure system, Heavy rainfall, Koraput, Malkangiri, Imd forecast,