Odisha shuts schools in three districts as IMD issues red alert over heavy rain, flash flood threat

Schools across Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts in Odisha remained closed on Monday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The weather system, centred over the northwest Bay of Bengal near the West Bengal-North Odisha coast, is expected to cross the coast between Balasore and Canning by Monday afternoon, bringing widespread rain, thunderstorms and squally winds across the state through July 29.

Mayurbhanj has been placed under a red warning along with Sundargarh and Keonjhar, while an orange alert has been issued for several other districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Sambalpur, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall.

District administrations in the affected areas ordered the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres as a precaution, while teachers and non-teaching staff have been directed to remain on duty and coordinate with local authorities in case of emergencies.

The state’s Special Relief Commissioner has asked collectors in 27 of Odisha’s 30 districts to remain on high alert amid fears of flash floods caused by continuous rainfall.

Odisha has recorded 467.9 mm of rainfall so far this month—about 67% above normal—making it one of the wettest Julys in recent years. The current system is the third low-pressure area to impact the state this month, following similar weather systems earlier in July that erased much of Odisha’s monsoon rainfall deficit.