Bhubaneswar: With a fresh low-pressure area likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around Sunday and trigger heavy rainfall in many parts of Odisha, the state government on Monday asked district administrations to remain prepared to deal with any flood-like situation and landslide. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for a few parts of the state.
An ‘Orange’ warning stands for “Alert”, and authorities are expected to “Be prepared”. The forecast during an Orange warning is of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
In view of very heavy rainfall that may lead to a flood-like situation, the state government has put all the districts on high alert.
The IMD tweet said," Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls and moderate thunderstorm & lightning very likely over Odisha and peninsular India except Kerala during next 4 days."
Malkangiri, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam and districts have been put on yellow alert for the next 24 hours. A ‘Yellow’ alert signifies “Watch”, and authorities are advised to “Be updated” on the situation.
State govt issues warning for heavy rainfall
It has also been predicted that Puri and Gajapati districts may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 22.
Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha on Sunday issued an advisory to all collectors in view of the IMD forecast of the formation of a low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal. Besides this, it also advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea areas of central Bay of Bengal from October 19 to 22.
State govt issues warning for heavy rainfall
HR Biswas, IMD Bhubaneswar's Director, said, "Several coastal parts of Odisha may witness extremely heavy thunderstorms and rainfall for the next four days from Monday under the influence of a low-pressure area brewing over the Bay of Bengal. Southern parts of Odisha may receive heavy rainfall and it will continue till October 23.
Odisha on high alert after 'heavy rain' warning
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The Special Relief Commissioner advised that districts under orange and yellow warning should remain ready to meet any eventuality particularly water logging/landslides in hilly areas. He further said that continuous vigil should be maintained in a low lying area.
He asked the collectors to closely monitor the situation in their respective districts and ensure that advice for fishermen is strictly implemented.
Asking the district collectors to closely monitor the situation, the SRC said continuous vigil must be maintained on low-lying areas and steps for dewatering should be taken wherever required. Advice for fishermen should be strictly implemented.
The possibility of flash floods has also not been ruled out in major rivers like Vansadhara, Rushikulya and Nagabali. Sandbags and bamboos have been kept ready at vulnerable river embankments. Shifting of places from low-lying areas to safer places is also underway by the officials.
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With agency inputs
