Low Pressure Over Bay: Heavy Rain To Continue In Odisha Till Aug 20; Orange Warning By IMD

Bhubaneswar: Heavy rain is likely to continue in several parts of Odisha till August 20 under the influence of the low pressure area over north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

In view of the weather condition, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu has already asked the Collectors of 14 districts to remain prepared to deal with any situation during the period.

As per the weather agency, the low pressure area now lies over north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Bangladesh-West Bengal coasts. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height.

The is likely to move north-northwestwards during next two days and become a well-marked löw pressure area over Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.

Thereafter, it is likely to move west-northwestwards, across Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and adjoining areas.

With the IMD predicting heavy to very heavy rain, the SRC has asked the Collectors of Angul, Bargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Sundargarh to remain alert.

Widespread rainfall activity with isolated heavy to very heavy rain may trigger flash flood/ flood-like situation in rivers and nullahs.

Heavy rain may also create waterlogging situation in urban areas as well. The SRC has asked the Collectors to ensure that the engineers-in-charge keep a close watch on the embankments, especially weak and vulnerable points. Similarly, flood fighting materials may be kept ready at strategic places and immediate action be taken to prevent any breach, damage of roads, if any.

The urban local bodies have also been asked to make advance arrangements for dewatering from areas likely to face waterlogging.