Bhubaneswar: With heavy rain triggered by depression lashing several parts of Odisha, the government on Tuesday stepped up preparedness as the system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression soon.
The system is set to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur between the night of September 23 and the early hours of September 24.
As part of the arrangements, 33 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed or kept in reserve in view of the weather system.
Of the 33 ODRAF teams, 24 have been deployed in vulnerable districts, including six each in Ganjam and Koraput, three each in Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada, two in Kalahandi and one in Balangir. Nine teams have been kept in reserve at the ODRAF unit of the OSAP 8th Battalion in Chhatrapur in Ganjam district.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression is likely to move west-north-westwards and intensify into a deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours.
The system is likely to continue moving west-north-westwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur as a deep depression between the night of September 23 and the early hours of September 24.
The weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at many places in the state on September 22, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.
On September 23 and 24, most parts of South Odisha are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, while heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at some places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places on September 25, while heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places on September 26.
A red warning has been issued for Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam for September 23 and 24, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in some areas and extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places. A red warning has also been issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri for September 24 and 25.
The state government has also asked district administrations to identify vulnerable areas, keep cyclone and flood shelters ready, stock essential supplies and pre-position disaster mitigation teams. Special attention has been directed towards landslide-prone areas in Gajapati, Rayagada, Ganjam, Koraput and Malkangiri.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the preparedness measures on September 21 in consultation with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Director of Fire Services, Health and Family Welfare Department, Water Resources Department, police and district collectors of southern districts.
Fire service units have also been kept on alert, while health authorities have been directed to ensure the preparedness of medical facilities. The Water Resources Department has been asked to continuously monitor rainfall, water inflow into reservoirs and dam water levels.
According to the morning flood bulletin issued by the Water Resources Department at 10 am on Tuesday, water levels in major rivers in South Odisha remained below the danger mark.
Officials said the Rushikulya was flowing at 76.83 metres at Sorada against a danger mark of 81.99 metres, 55.94 metres at Madhabarida against 60.65 metres and 12.18 metres at Purushottampur against 16.84 metres. The Vamsadhara was flowing at 80.93 metres at Gunupur against a danger mark of 84 metres and 52.93 metres at Kashinagar against 54.60 metres.
Reservoir storage levels stood at 83.6% in Upper Indravati, 54.5% in Upper Kolab, 44.4% in Balimela and 63.8% in Machkund (Jalaput).
Meanwhile, winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, have commenced along the South Odisha, north Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts and adjoining sea areas. From Tuesday evening, wind speeds are likely to increase to 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph.
Over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, winds are likely to reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph, from Tuesday evening and further increase to 55-65 kmph, with gusts up to 75 kmph, between September 23 and the evening of September 24.
Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the west-central, adjoining northwest and southwest Bay of Bengal and along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal until September 24.
The state recorded an average rainfall of 13.5 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday. The highest rainfall of 78 mm was recorded at Pattamundai in Kendrapara district.
The government has advised people to remain alert, avoid waterlogged and low-lying areas, and follow advisories issued by the state government, local administration and the IMD.
All senior officials and district administrations have been directed to remain at their headquarters and maintain constant vigilance as the weather system moves closer to the Odisha coast.