Bhubaneswar: The state is set to witness a fresh spell of rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal by May 27.

The weather system is expected to trigger moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across several districts until May 31.According to a special IMD bulletin, the low-pressure area is likely to develop over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27, under the influence of a cyclonic circulation and an upper air trough stretching from the east-central Arabian Sea to north Odisha.

This is expected to draw in ample moisture, creating conditions for intense weather activity across many districts.The special relief commissioner (SRC) has issued alerts to all district administrations, urging them to remain vigilant. Rainfall activity is likely to begin on Sunday and intensify over the next few days, with the system becoming more active towards the end of the month. Districts such as Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Jajpur are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The IMD has also warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas, localised flooding of roads, damage to kutcha roads, and disruption of power and communication lines.Sea conditions are predicted to turn rough to very rough from May 28 to May 30, with squally weather and wind speeds reaching 40–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast and over the central Bay of Bengal during this period.Emergency control rooms have been activated in all districts, and the SRC has directed officials to ensure drainage systems are cleared, particularly in urban areas like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, to prevent flooding.On Sunday, a maximum rainfall of 35.4 mm was recorded at Paradip, while the maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius was recorded at Boudh and Hirakud. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded day temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius, respectively.On Sunday, Paradip recorded the highest rainfall at 35.4 mm, while Boudh and Hirakud registered the highest temperatures at 38°C. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded day temperatures of 34°C and 31°C, respectively.