Don’t Panic, Odisha CM Appeals To People Amid IMD’s Extreme Rains Alert [Watch]

Bhubaneswar: With deep depression over the Bay of Bengal likely to trigger extreme heavy rain in some districts of Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday appealed to people to remain safe and ensure the safety of their family members as well without getting perturbed.

“The IMD has forecast intense spells of rain in four districts of Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts from tonight. I appeal to people not to panic but rather follow the instruction of the administration.”

Naveen further said that ‘every life is precious’ for the Odisha government.

The MeT office has issued red warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls (>20cm) for Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts till 8.30 am on Saturday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) is also likely at a few places in Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir, and Jajpur. Some places in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khordha, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nawarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri and Puri may also experience heavy rainfall during this period.

Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph is likely to previal over North Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha coast till midnight. Following which, the wind speed will gradually decrease becoming 45-55 kmph gusting 65 kmph by Saturday morning over the same region and 35-45 kmph gusting 55 kmph by the evening, it added.

Notably, the Bhadrak administration had ordered for closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres on Friday in view of the heavy rainfall forecast.

Balasore collector Dattatreya Bhaosaheb Sindhe has also directed the officials concerned not to allow the visitors inside tourist places – Chandipur, Talasari, Kasafala, Dagara and Panchlingeswar – on Friday and Saturday. The tourists have also been advised against staying at these places overnight.