Bhubaneswar

A low-pressure area that formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the northern coast of Sri Lanka on Monday is likely to intensify over the next 48 hours and trigger rainfall across parts of Odisha during the next six days, the India Meteorological Department said.

In its morning bulletin, the IMD said the weather system developed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Sri Lanka.

According to the weather office, the low-pressure area formed at 5:30 am, with the associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 kilometres above mean sea level.

The IMD said the system is likely to become more marked during the next 48 hours.

Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places across Odisha over the next six days, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may affect several districts during the next four days.

According to IMD’s IMD Bhubaneswar Centre, as many as 21 districts are likely to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

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An orange alert — indicating “be prepared to take action” — has been issued for Mayurbhanj district, while 20 other districts have been placed under a yellow alert, signalling the need for caution.