Bhubaneswar: In view of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning warnings, the Nabarangpur Administration has declared a holiday for all educational institutions and Anganwadi centres across the district on August 24.
According to the official notification issued by the Nabarangpur Collector, the decision followed weather predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar. “…there has been continuous rainfall in various parts of this district leading to situation, which may be difficult for children to navigate. Therefore to avoid any untoward situation and keeping the safety of the children in mind, all Anganwadi centres, government aided and private schools of Nabarangpur district will remain closed on August 24,” stated the official order.
Nabarangpur was among the five districts, which were placed on red alert on August 23, alerting residents of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20 cm, under the influence of a low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal. Heavy rain along with thunderstorm activity and gusty wind may continue in the district on August 24.
Meanwhile, heavy overnight rain triggered severe waterlogging in Nabarangpur town, inundating homes across several areas. Sources reported on Sunday that Wards 14 and 16, alongside Jaman Colony and neighboring localities, were among the worst affected. Water levels reached nearly two feet on NH-26 near Hotel Manisha, around 50 metres from the Nabarangpur municipality office, severely disrupting traffic between Nabarangpur and Jeypore. Vehicles struggled to navigate the waterlogged stretch, while local residents were forced to wade through the flooded roads.
A routine flood assessment turned harrowing for Nabarangpur MLA Gouri Shankar Majhi and Tentulikhunti BDO Manoj Kumar Panigrahi when their vehicles became stranded on a bridge submerged under three feet of water.
