Depression Over Odisha Coast To Weaken In 12 Hours; Heavy Rain Likely Till July 24

Bhubaneswar: With Depression over Odisha coast near Chilika Lake remaining practically stationary, the state is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Saturday.

“The Depression was about 40 km south-southwest of Puri and 70 km east-northeast of Gopalpur at 8.30 am. It is likely to move further northwestwards across Odisha & Chhattisgarh and weaken gradually into a well-marked low pressure area during next 12 hours.”

Heavy rain, however, may continue to lash several districts of the state till July 24.

Orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) has been issued for one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati on July 20. Heavy rain may also lash one or two places in Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nuapada, Balangir, Nayagarh and Khurda.

The weather agency has warned of flash flood/waterlogging in low-lying areas, inundation of agriculture field, mudslides/landslides in vulnerable hilly areas. There is also a possibility of some damage to kutcha road, wall collapse of vulnerable kutcha houses, waterlogging in underpass road and occasional reduction of visibility causing traffic congestion in urban areas.

It further stated that the downpour may lead to significant rise in water level of rivers.

Also Read: Heavy Rains Trigger Flood-Like Situation In Odisha’s Malkangiri; Connectivity Snapped, 23 Families Evacuted

Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 65 kmph may also prevail over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal and along and off North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha coasts on July 20 and would decrease gradually thereafter. Since sea condition is likely to remain rough to very rough, fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea, along & off Odisha coasts, northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal.

Local cautionary Signal no-3 (LC-3) has been hoisted at all ports of Odisha.

The intensity of rain may gradually decrease thereafter.

The IMD has forecast heavy rain (7 to 11cm) at one or two places in Balangir, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada on July 21. Heavy rain may continue to lash Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts during the subsequent 24 hours.

Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts on July 23, and Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur on July 24.

According to the office of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Malkangiri received an average rainfall of 190mm, followed by Nabarangpur 70.1mm and Koraput 67.4mm in the last 24 hours. “The highest rainfall recorded of 221.2mm was recorded in Khairput block of Malkangiri district. Four blocks (Chitrakunda, Korkunda, Khairput & Kalimela) have received more than 200mm rainfall. The average rainfall of the state is 25.1mm.”

While stating the situation was under control, it added that downpour due to Depression will minimise the 20% deficit rainfall and help the farmers for cultivation.

The seasonal cumulative rainfall, between June 1 and July 20, is 332.9 mm against its normal value of 417.5 mm.