Bhubaneswar: Amid flood-like conditions in northern Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in these regions over the next 24 hours.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the rainfall is due to a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha. “This system is expected to move west-northwestwards across Jharkhand during the next 24 hours,” he added.

He further informed the southwest monsoon remains active over Odisha. Another spell of heavy rain is likely around July 5 and 6, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha.

The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface winds reaching 30-40 kmph.

In the last 24 hours, Bamra in Sambalpur district recorded the highest rainfall at 18 cm, followed by Balisankara in Sundargarh with 11 cm and Kotpad in Koraput with 10 cm.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall was also reported at isolated places in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Nabarangpur districts.

The continuous downpour has led to a flood-like situation in the northern districts, particularly Balasore and Mayurbhanj, affecting thousands of residents. Farmlands are submerged, and several villages remain cut off from the outside world.