Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari urged citizens to stay calm in light of the heavy rainfall resulting from a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. He emphasized on Monday that the state government is fully equipped at the local level to respond to any challenges posed by the current weather.
Following a high-level review meeting, Pujari indicated that the state is anticipated to experience normal to heavy or even exceptionally heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours starting Monday evening, though he noted that the intensity of the rain is expected to lessen afterward. He reassured that there is currently no immediate flood risk, as water levels in major rivers, including the Mahanadi, remain significantly below the danger threshold.
The minister reported that field officials have been put on high alert and have been instructed to prepare water pumps for potential drainage of low-lying areas to prevent waterlogging. Sufficient supplies of tarpaulins are on hand for emergency distribution, and arrangements have been made to provide cooked meals as needed. Furthermore, teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services are on standby to address any emergencies.
In response to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of heavy to very heavy rain, schools in Jagatsinghpur, Subarnapur, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapada districts have been closed as a precaution.
Heavy rainfall briefly disrupted railway services on the Rayagada-Koraput route due to water accumulation on tracks between Tikiri and Rauli stations in Rayagada district, although services were restored once the water receded, according to officials.
As per IMD reports, Banki in Cuttack district experienced the highest rainfall in the state, measuring 192 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 am on Monday. Athagarh received 174 mm, while Sonepur and Kendrapara recorded 135 mm and 133 mm, respectively.
The IMD has issued a red warning for Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj districts due to the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall. An orange alert is in effect for 19 districts, and eight others are under a yellow warning. Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast until July 29.
The weather office indicated that the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to make landfall between Balasore in Odisha and Canning in West Bengal later on Monday, bringing with it intense rainfall before it gradually weakens.
