Bhubaneswar: The Deep Depression over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of West Bengal-North Odisha coasts was about 80 km east of Baleshwar in Odisha at around on Monday evening.
The system is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards and cross West Bengal-North Odisha coasts close to east of Digha and west of Haldia by early morning of Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Odisha on July 27, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 28 and heavy rainfall from July 29-August 1.
The Met office has issued a red warning for districts of Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj on July 27. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may also occur at a few places in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Sonpur, Boudh, Kandhamala, Nuapada Nabaarangpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala.
Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Nayagada.
On July 28, heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in the districts of Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, and Sambalpur. Heavy rainfall may also occur at a few places in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir.
In view of the deep depression and warning issued by the IMD, the state government has asked all district administrations to maintain round-the-clock vigilance.
Apart from heavy to very heavy rain, the IMD has also warned of squally winds with speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over North Bay of Bengal & adjoining Odisha-West Bengal-north Andhra Pradesh coasts till the morning of July 28 and decrease gradually thereafter. Squally winds with speed reaching 40-50 gusting to 60 kmph are also likely over central and northeast Bay of Bengal during this period.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday chaired a high-level preparatory-cum-review meeting to assess the state government’s preparedness to deal with the situation.
Reviewing the preparedness of each district individually, the minister directed all district administrations to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and ensure prompt response to any eventuality.
Stressing that protection of human life remains the state government’s foremost priority, he instructed officials to ensure timely evacuation of vulnerable people, wherever required, and make adequate arrangements for cooked food, dry ration, drinking water, shelter and other essential relief measures.
The minister also stressed the need for close coordination among all emergency response departments to facilitate swift and effective response on the ground.
Collectors, BDOs and senior officials of several districts joined the meeting through videoconference and apprised the minister of the preparedness measures undertaken in their respective districts.
The Minister directed all district administrations to remain in constant touch with field-level officials and closely monitor vulnerable locations to ensure that any emerging situation is addressed without delay.
