Bhubaneswar: Rain may dampen the upcoming Ganesh Puja and Nuakhai celebrations in Odisha as the IMD has predicted heavy showers for several districts till September 21.

The people across Odisha are all set to celebrate Ganesh Puja on September 19. However, as many as 19 districts in the state are likely to witness heavy rainfall on the day, predicted the IMD.

As per the forecast, heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri on September 19.

This apart, many places across the state are likely to witness thunderstorm with lightning on the day.

The residents of several districts in the Western Odisha will celebrate Nuakhai, an agrarian festival, for two days starting September 20. However, many districts including Bolangir, Sonepur, Nuapada, Boudh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sundargarh and Deogarh are likely witness heavy rainfall on September 20 and 21, said the IMD in its weather forecast today.

Besides, most of the places across Odisha may witness light to moderate rain during the two days, added the IMD.