Bhubaneswar: Odisha may continue to experience heavy rain and thunderstorm activity for two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Thursday.
The midday bulletin mentioned about a cyclonic circulation over northern parts of Gangetic West Bengal and a monsoon trough passing through Sri Ganganagar, Rohtak, Banda, Sidhi, Ranchi, Diamond Harbour and southeastwards to the northeast Bay of Bengal.
Earlier in its extended weather outlook, the IMD had forecast formation of an upper-air cyclonic circulation/low pressure area over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal/Bangladesh coasts in the first week of August.
FORECAST FOR ODISHA
On July 31, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh. Thunderstorm/lightning along with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is also likely at one or two places in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
Thunderstorm/lightning along with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may continue at one or two places in Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh on August 1.
Though there is no further weather warning, light to moderate rain may occur at a few places across the state during the subsequent 7 days.
FLOOD FEARS RETURN
Meanwhile, the Baitarani river has crossed the alert mark near Akhuapada in Bhadrak district, triggering concerns of another flood. The river was flowing at 18.12 metres at 7 am, exceeding the alert mark of 17.83 metres, with the danger level set at 18.33 metres. Authorities have noted a steady rise in the water level.
Over 5,000 people were earlier evacuated as floods disrupted lives of 30,000 residents across Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts. Cooked food is being provided to at least 10,000 people in the flood-affected areas through 29 free kitchens in these three districts and it will continue for the next seven days.
After conducting an aerial survey to assess the flood situation, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had said that 81 villages in eight blocks across Balasore (Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi, Jaleswar), Bhadrak (Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari), and Jajpur (Jajpur, Dasarathpur) were impacted. He confirmed that approximately 30,000 people were affected, with 5,869 relocated to safety.
The state government has deployed 17 ODRAF and 13 fire service teams in Balasore, one NDRF, ODRAF and 13 fire service teams in Bhadrak and one ODRAF and 14 fire service units in Jajpur district.