Bhubaneswar: In view of heavy monsoon downpours across Odisha, the Kandhamal administration has declared a two-day holiday for all government and private schools on July 2 and July 3.
The precautionary measure, announced by the Kandhamal Collector, aims to ensure student safety as weather forecasts predict even more rains across the region.
According to weather data from the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, Baliguda in Kandhamal recorded a significant 90 mm of rainfall by the morning of July 2, followed by Khajuripada at 75.2 mm. Other parts of the state have experienced severe downpours, with Ambabhona in Bargarh district leading the charts at a staggering 180 mm, followed closely by Jujumara in Sambalpur district at 130.8 mm, and Atabira and Bhatli in Bargarh at 120 mm and 110 mm respectively.
This intense weather system is driven by an active monsoon trough combined with cyclonic circulation over northwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining north Odisha coast. This system is intensify into a low pressure by July 2, triggering widespread, heavy rainfall across Odisha till July 7.
Local urban bodies and district authorities across the state have been put on high alert to monitor the monsoon situation and manage potential waterlogging or flooding.
The Fisheries Department at Bhogarai in Balasore district has officially banned fishermen from venturing into the sea for a four-day period starting July 2. With rough seas, frequent lightning, and strong gales predicted to persist over the Bay of Bengal until July 5, fishermen have been strongly urged to secure their boats and nets in safe zones, while residents of low-lying coastal areas remain on high alert to protect life and property.
