Bhubaneswar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy rain due to formation of a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal, the Odisha government on Sunday directed the district collectors to remain on high alert.
In a letter, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena directed districts under orange and yellow warnings to remain prepared to meet any possible flood-like situation and landslide in hilly areas.
The collectors have been asked to closely monitor the situation and keep a continuous vigil on low-lying areas and take necessary steps to evacuate water in areas wherever required. Besides, the SRC also asked the collectors of the coastal districts to restrain fishermen from venturing into the deep sea in view of the inclement weather.
The IMD in a morning bulletin said that the low pressure formed over the north-east Bay of Bengal will be more marked over the north-west Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the subsequent 24 hours and trigger heavy rain in most parts of the south coastal, south, north and north interior districts, which will continue till September 22.
The IMD has also intimated the state government that the heavy rainfall would cause water-logging in the low-lying areas and damage kutcha house and roads. Besides, there is a possibility of landslide in hilly areas. It has also warned of traffic congestion and water-logging on underpass road and low-lying urban areas.
In view of the inclement weather, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea area at north-east Bay of Bengal and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal from September 20 and along and off the Odisha coast and north Bay Of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal for two days from September 21. Whoever in deep sea are advised to return to coast by September 20.
The orange and yellow warnings issued by the IMD for the following districts are as follows:
September 20
(Orange warning)
Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada.
(Yellow Warning)
Heavy rainfall at one or two places in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Deogarh and Kalahandi.
September 21
(Orange warning)
Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Angul, Nuapada, Balangir and Sonepur.
(Yellow warning)
Heavy rainfall at one or two places in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Malkangiri and Koraput.
September 22
Heavy rainfall at one or two places in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Malkangiri and Koraput.
