Heavy Rainfall From Sept 18: Odisha Govt Asks Collectors To Stay On Alert

Bhubaneswar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing heavy rainfall warning for Odisha, the state government on Wednesday asked the district collectors to stay on high alert.

In a letter, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena asked the collectors to keep the administration in readiness to meet any eventuality.

Talking to mediapersons, meteorologist of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Uma Shankar Das said that a low-pressure area is most likely to develop over north-east Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood around September 20. Under its influence, South Odisha districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada are likely to experience heavy rainfall from September 18.

“The low-pressure will later move in a north-westerly direction along the coast towards north Odisha and trigger heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj and Balasore the adjoining districts. Besides, there will be thunderstorm with lightning at one or two places in Nanarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Khurda, Ganjam, Puri, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Balasore. The rainfall activity will continue till September 23,” he added.

Das also said the fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea area of the north-east Bay of Bengal and the adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal from September 20 as the squally weather with the surface wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph will make the sea conditions very rough.