Bhubaneswar: Odisha has been severely affected by heavy rainfall following the emergence of a new low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued rainfall over the next four days.

Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast due to expected rough sea conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to the IMD, a low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal at 5:30 AM on September 2, influenced by an upper air cyclonic circulation over the Bay and the nearby Myanmar coast. This system is anticipated to intensify in the coming hours.

The weather system is expected to move west-northwestward across Odisha within the next 24 hours.

Coastal regions of Odisha have experienced significant rainfall, disrupting normal life since Monday night. Urban areas, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, have reported instances of waterlogging.

In Malkangiri, rainwater has flooded a bridge at Kangurkonda, cutting off road access to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leaving numerous vehicles stranded, according to a Revenue department official.

The IMD has issued an 'Orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with wind speeds reaching 30-40 km/h, particularly affecting Malkangiri and Koraput districts.

Additionally, a 'Yellow' warning has been issued for potential heavy rain and thunderstorms in Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sundargarh, Bargarh, and Jharsuguda, with light to moderate rain expected in 22 other districts.