IMD Issues Extreme Rainfall Warning for Odisha, Chhattisgarh & Andhra Pradesh

When India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded the alarm on October 2, 2025, residents of eastern India braced for extremely heavy rainfall that could turn roads into rivers and fields into swamps. The agency’s official press release warned that isolated pockets of very heavy rain would lash South Chhattisgarh, Odisha and the north‑coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh from Oct 2 through Oct 5. The alert, issued from Mausam Bhawan on Lodhi Road, New Delhi, flags an urgent need for disaster‑ready measures as the post‑monsoon transition collides with Diwali celebrations.

Monsoon’s Endgame: Why October Is Turning Turbulent

The 2025 Southwest Monsoon season has already run a gauntlet of heat, humidity and intermittent showers. According to a September 30 press bulletin, the country’s average daytime high sits at 33 °C, while nighttime lows hover around 19 °C. Data fed from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, the UK Met Office and the Netherlands Meteorological Institute reveal that October typically brings 9 hours of sunshine a day and a modest 24 mm of rain nation‑wide. This year, however, the convergence of lingering monsoon moisture and a sharp temperature gradient—Vara​nasi hitting 39 °C while Amritsar dips to 17 °C—has set the stage for localized downpours that are anything but ordinary.

What the Forecast Says: Numbers, Places, and Timelines

The extended range outlook, covering Sept 25–Oct 8, flags four rainy days, zero snowy days and 27 dry days across the month, with a projected total of 106 mm of rain. The heavy‑rain window narrows to three days—Oct 2, 3 and 5—when IMD expects isolated rainfall to cross the "very heavy" threshold (≥100 mm per hour) in the three eastern states. Extreme Rainfall WarningEastern India also highlights a 70 % probability of flash‑flood conditions along the Mahanadi and Godavari river basins.

• South Chhattisgarh: up to 120 mm in isolated valleys.
• Coastal Andhra Pradesh: 90–110 mm expected near Visakhapatnam.
• Inland Odisha: 100 mm in the Koraput district with strong gusts.

Temperature swings accompany the rain. While Delhi will see highs near 32 °C (90 °F) on Oct 2, Rajasthan’s deserts could sprint to 38.9 °C (102 °F) before cooling to 23.9 °C (75 °F) at night. The UV index climbs to 7, classified as high, meaning anyone stepping outdoors should slather on sunscreen—even if they’re ducking under a rain‑coat.

Voices from the Forecast Desk

"We’re seeing a classic post‑monsoon burst, where residual moisture collides with a rapid cooling trend," explains Dr. Naresh Kumar, Scientific Officer F of IMD. He added, "The models from CRU and the Met Office both flag a 70‑percent chance of isolated intense cells, especially over Odisha’s hilly terrain. Residents should avoid low‑lying roads and secure any outdoor equipment." Kumar can be reached at +91 9968680077 or via email at [email protected].

His colleague, Dr. Akhil Srivastava, Scientific Officer D, echoed the caution, noting, "Our coordination with state disaster management authorities is in full swing. We’ve dispatched early‑warning bulletins to district collectors in the three states, and the Army’s engineering corps stands ready for rapid water‑level monitoring." Srivastava’s contact is +91 8285281968; his official email is [email protected].

Ground Reality: How Communities Are Preparing

Farmers in the Mahanadi delta, who rely on timely rains for the upcoming rice sowing, are caught between optimism and anxiety. "A good soak can boost yields, but too much water will wash away seedlings," says Raju Patel, a third‑generation farmer from Sambalpur. Local authorities have issued temporary road closures on National Highway 59 and ordered schools in the most vulnerable talukas to remain closed on Oct 3.

Meanwhile, the Diwali season adds a layer of complexity. With fireworks and night‑time gatherings already on the rise, officials urge citizens to postpone outdoor celebrations if rain forecasts persist. The Ministry of Earth Sciences, under which IMD operates, has released a public advisory emphasizing the need for waterproofing electrical installations in market areas and ensuring that firecrackers are stored away from flood‑prone zones.

Looking Ahead: What the Next Two Weeks May Bring

The two‑week window ending Oct 8 will be closely tracked. Climate analysts point out that the 2025 post‑monsoon pattern resembles the 2010 event that triggered massive riverine floods in central India. However, the current sea surface temperature anomalies in the Bay of Bengal are 0.4 °C lower than in 2010, suggesting that while heavy rain is likely, its spatial footprint may be narrower.

In the longer view, researchers at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology warn that a shift toward more erratic October rains could reshape agricultural calendars nationwide. "If these trends persist, we might need to redesign irrigation infrastructure and even revisit crop varieties suited for late‑season showers," notes Prof. Meera Joshi, a climatology expert.

Key Takeaways for the Public

• Stay tuned to IMD alerts via the official website or mobile app.
• Avoid travel on low‑lying roads in South Chhattisgarh, Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh between Oct 2‑5.
• Secure outdoor items and postpone non‑essential Diwali festivities if heavy rain persists.
• Farmers should monitor water‑level updates before sowing.
• Keep emergency kits ready – waterproof boots, flashlights, and a supply of clean drinking water.