Puri: With barely one day left for the Rath Yatra, Odisha’s Puri was lashed by extremely heavy rain, raising concerns over the smooth conduct of the annual festival which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Puri recorded 143.8 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours (by 8.30 am on Wednesday).
The IMD has issued a red warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places with isolated extremely heavy falls in Puri district over the next 24 hours.
Officials have urged pilgrims to exercise caution during the Rath Yatra festival on Thursday. Pilgrims have been advised to remain alert during lightning and thunderstorm activity. In case of heavy rain, lightning, or strong winds, they should immediately move to a safe, permanent shelter and avoid taking shelter under trees, electric poles, or temporary structures.
The Met department has further advised everyone to stay well hydrated, keep mobile phones charged, and regularly monitor official weather updates as monsoon conditions can change rapidly. Elderly devotees, children, and people with medical conditions have been asked to avoid prolonged exposure to rain and crowded areas.
Meanwhile, the Puri administration has declared a holiday for all schools today in view of the warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the district.
The holiday applies to all government, private and aided schools across the district. Classes from Shishu Vatika to Plus Two (Higher Secondary Schools) will remain suspended for the day.
Puri District Collector announced the closure as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students amid the forecast of heavy rain.
