A cloudy sky over Bhubaneswar prompts intermittent to heavy rain at regular intervals on Tuesday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, July 29: With rain and sun playing hide-and-seek throughout the day, Id celebrations were dampened to some extent as people were forced to stay indoor.

The cyclonic circulation that was formed over the Bay of Bengal on Friday turned into low pressure and triggered rainfall at several places across the state.

As the low pressure persists over the Bay of Bengal, several places in the state will receive rainfall. Several districts in south and north of the state can expect heavy rainfall over the next two days.

“It kept on raining intermittently and forced us to stay inside. When the overcast sky gave way to sunshine in the afternoon, we went out to have some fun. However, the rain has played spoilsport and came in the way of Id celebration. The Met officials have predicted heavy rainfall and that is worrying us,” said Sabnam Alam, a Bhubaneswar resident.

Director in charge of Metereological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu said that the low pressure had intensified and t his would induce heavy rain at many places in the state over the next 24 hours. The downpour might continue for another day, Sahu warned.

“Places such as Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Balangir and adjoining areas, which are the southern and western districts of the state, will get heavy rainfall in the next two days. In the past 24 hours, Balangir has received the maximum rainfall. While Balangir has received 148mm of rain, Koraput came second at 128 mm,” said Sahu.

He also predicted that the coastal areas would also get heavy rain. In last 24 hours, Puri has received 107 mm of rainfall.

Besides, there are chances of wind speed reaching up to 45kmph. Fishermen have been alerted not to venture into the sea during that time, said a met official.

In Jagatsinghpur district, lightning killed two farmers, who were identified as Sanatan Rath, 30, a native of Gualipur village and Bhabani Swain, 66, of Ichhapur village, both under Raghunathpur police station. They were working in their fields when lightning struck them. District officials said that bereaved family members were provided with ex-gratia compensation from the relief fund.