Bhubaneswar: A low pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal-North Odisha coasts, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts of Odisha.

According to weather officials, the system has developed under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over southwest Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh. The low-pressure area is expected to intensify further and become more marked over the next two days.

The IMD has warned that the weather system is likely to trigger widespread rainfall across the state, with coastal and adjoining districts expected to bear the brunt of the downpour.

Districts under the heavy to very heavy rainfall warning include Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Nayagarh, Balasore and Bhadrak.

The weather office has also forecast isolated spells of heavy rainfall in Deogarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Mayurbhanj districts.

Authorities have advised residents, particularly those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to remain alert and follow updates issued by the IMD and local administration. Fishermen have also been urged to exercise caution as sea conditions are expected to remain rough under the influence of the weather system.

With the low-pressure area likely to strengthen over the next 48 hours, Odisha is expected to witness widespread rainfall activity, providing relief from the prevailing humid conditions but also raising the risk of waterlogging, flash floods and localized disruptions in vulnerable areas.