The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall for Puri, Odisha, ahead of the world-renowned Rath Yatra scheduled for July 16. This weather alert comes as a low-pressure area is anticipated to form over the Bay of Bengal, threatening to disrupt one of the country's largest religious gatherings.
IMD Forecasts Significant Rainfall
According to the IMD's latest bulletin, a low-pressure system is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal and the adjoining west Bangladesh coast within the next 24 hours. Under its influence, Puri and surrounding regions are expected to experience significant to extremely heavy rainfall starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday morning.
Weather Alerts Intensify Across Region
The weather office has issued a series of warnings for various districts in Odisha. A red warning, indicating a need for immediate action, has been declared for Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak districts until Wednesday morning due to forecasts of heavy rainfall. An orange warning, urging preparedness, covers Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Jajpur, Khurdha, Puri, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts.
For Wednesday specifically, Jagatsinghpur remains under a red warning, while Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Khurdha, Puri, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts are under an orange alert. On July 16, the day of the Rath Yatra, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted across a wide area including Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Khurdha, Puri, Jajpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, and Nayagarh districts.
Impact on Devotees and Fishermen
Hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India and beyond are anticipated to attend the annual chariot festival in Puri. Authorities are preparing for the massive influx of pilgrims despite the challenging weather predictions. The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast from July 14 to July 18, citing expected rough to very rough sea conditions.
The weather warning highlights the potential for significant logistical challenges and safety concerns for participants and organizers of the Rath Yatra, prompting increased vigilance and precautionary measures.