Monsoon Update for July 4: IMD Issues Red Alert for Five Districts in Odisha – The Hindu

### Monsoon Update: Odisha Prepares for Heavy Rainfall and Associated Risks

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts in Odisha, anticipating very heavy rainfall due to a developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The districts affected include Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, and Ganjam. This warning comes as July starts with significant rainfall, helping to alleviate a prior rain deficit in the region.

According to meteorological reports, the rain received in July has contributed to a reduction in the rainfall deficit for Odisha to 26%. This marks a welcome change after a particularly dry June, providing much-needed relief, especially for farmers preparing for the Kharif crop season.

The IMD has also alerted the residents of Maharashtra’s Konkan and Western Ghats regions about the potential for heavy rainfall as this low-pressure system moves northwestward. Local authorities in Odisha are on high alert. The Odisha Fire Services have mobilized resources to prepare for emergency situations that may arise from the anticipated rainfall, such as flooding and landslides.

The public is urged to remain cautious and heed local advisories while the weather conditions continue to develop over the coming days.