Schools shut in 3 Odisha districts amid heavy rain warning; IMD issues ‘red alert’

Schools across three districts in Odisha, India, suspended classes on Monday following a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The alert forecasts extremely heavy rainfall and raises concerns about flash floods due to a deep depression forming over the Bay of Bengal.

The weather system, the third low-pressure area to impact Odisha this month, is centered over the northwest Bay of Bengal. It was moving slowly northwards and was expected to make landfall between Balasore and Canning by Monday afternoon. The IMD warned of widespread heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and squally weather across the state through July 29.

In Mayurbhanj district, all government and private educational institutions up to Class 12 were ordered closed, though staff were instructed to report for duty to coordinate with local authorities. Similar precautionary closures were announced for schools and Anganwadi centers in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts. The IMD also issued an orange warning for numerous other districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Authorities have directed collectors in 27 of the state's 30 districts to remain on high alert, anticipating potential flash flood situations. Odisha has experienced an unusually wet July, with rainfall approximately 67% above the normal level for the month, the highest positive deviation recorded among all Indian states. This follows a relatively dry June, and the repeated low-pressure systems have significantly reduced the state's monsoon rainfall deficit.

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The system could trigger widespread heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and squally weather across Odisha through July 29.