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Due to a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal, several regions in Odisha are experiencing heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted intense rain for various districts, including Puri, on Wednesday. This weather development comes just before the renowned Jagannath Rath Yatra, expected to attract millions of devotees from across the country and abroad on Thursday.

According to an IMD bulletin, a low-pressure system emerged over the Bay of Bengal near the northern Odisha-West Bengal coasts around 5:30 AM on Wednesday, influenced by cyclonic circulation in the upper atmosphere.

The IMD indicated that this low-pressure area is likely to move towards the northern regions of Odisha and the Ganges plains in West Bengal over the next two days. Heavy rainfall has already been reported in Puri and several other districts since Tuesday evening.

Officials noted that significant rainfall occurred in Puri and surrounding coastal areas from Tuesday evening until early Wednesday. Firefighters have been deployed to assist in draining rainwater from the city.

Water has accumulated on Grand Road, the main thoroughfare in front of the Jagannath Temple, where the chariots will be pulled during the Rath Yatra on Thursday. A fire service official stated, 'We have installed pumps in areas prone to flooding during heavy rain. These pumps were utilized to remove water during the downpour last evening.'

As of 8:30 AM on Wednesday, Puri recorded the highest rainfall of 143.8 millimeters in the past 24 hours.

With the Rath Yatra set to take place on Thursday, the IMD has issued a 'Red Warning' for Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts, indicating severe weather conditions. In light of the forecast, the district administration has closed all schools, including private institutions, on Wednesday.

The IMD has advised pilgrims to seek shelter in sturdy buildings during heavy rain or thunderstorms, avoiding trees, power poles, or temporary structures. Given the anticipated rough sea conditions, fishermen have been warned not to venture near the Odisha coast or into the sea until July 17.

In Kendrapara district, Derabis recorded 135 mm of rain, while Patamundai saw 129 mm.

The bulletin also reported heavy rainfall ranging from 65 mm to 107 mm in 21 other locations across Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jajpur districts.

For Wednesday, the IMD has issued an 'Orange Alert' for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Khurda, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Ganjam, and Kandhamal districts, while a 'Yellow Alert' has been issued for Balasore, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Raigarh, and Gajapati districts.