Bhubaneswar: Heavy rain may resume in Odisha, which is currently grappling with flood-like situation, after two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Friday.
According to the weather agency, thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (30-40 kmph) may continue at one or two places in districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada on July 31. Similar weather conditions may persist in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada on August 1.
On August 2, heavy rain may resume at one or two places in Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind (30-40 kmph) may also occur in districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada.
Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj may continue to experience heavy rain during the subsequent 24 hours.
On August 4, there is a warning of heavy rain for Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Nabaarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Heavy rain may continue to lash one or two places in Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri on August 5; and Sundaragada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangir with no large change thereafter.
The national forecaster has warned of urban flooding, waterlogged roads and underpasses, reduced visibility, and major traffic disruptions. The heavy downpour could also lead to landslides and mudslides. Additionally, standing crops, horticulture, and vulnerable structures and unpaved roads also face significant risk of damage from inundation. Some river catchments may also experience riverine flooding.
Notably, the state received 647.4 mm rainfall against the normal average of 338.3 mm between July 1 -July 31, registering a surplus of 91.4%.
Meanwhile, a mild flood situation in the Mahanadi river system has escalated rapidly after authorities released over 2 lakh cusecs of floodwater from the Hirakud Dam to manage heavy inflows from upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh. The state government is closely monitoring the downstream flow, particularly in vulnerable districts along the Mahanadi river system, where floodwaters have submerged agricultural lands and breached villages in low-lying areas. High alert has been sounded for Kataka, Puri, Khordha, and Jagatsinghpur districts.
The floods have so far hit 57 blocks, 446 gram panchayats, 1,362 villages, 11 urban local bodies, and over 70 municipal wards across 15 affected districts, impacting nearly 7.91 lakh people. Over 2.68 lakh residents remain marooned in flooded villages, and approximately 700 houses have sustained damage. The agricultural sector has taken a heavy hit, with standing crops across 28,943 hectares submerged.
Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil confirmed that more than 1.90 lakh residents have already been evacuated to safer ground. “The state has operationalised 520 relief centres equipped to shelter up to two lakh displaced individuals,” Patil reported, adding that emergency supplies are being continuously distributed to affected communities.
A total of 136 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services have been deployed across vulnerable zones to carry out ongoing rescue and relief operations.