Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nowcast warning for 20 districts of Odisha, including twin cities of Kataka and Bhubaneswar, till 1.20 pm on Sunday.
Under the influence of a fresh low-pressure area formed over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-North Odisha coasts, which is expected to become more marked during the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning may Jagatsingpur, Kendrapada, Kataka (including Kataka City} Khordha (Including Bhubaneswar city), Puri, Jajpur, Ganjam, Gaijapati, Koraput, Anugola, Baragada, Sonpur, Boudh, Kandhamala, Debgada, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Balangir and Nayagada during the next 3 hours.
People have been advised to keep a watch on the weather and move to safer places to protect themselves from lightning strikes.
Several parts of the state, including Bhubaneswar and Kataka cities, have been experiencing heavy rain since Saturday evening. Banspal in Kendujhar district recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 135.6 mm, followed closely by Barkot in Debagada district with 135.2 mm and Tensa in Sundaragada district with 134.6 mm, in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am. Other areas that registered three-digit rainfall figures include Jamankira in Sambalpur district at 126.0 mm, Gurundia in Sundaragada district at 124.0 mm, Banaigarh in Sundaragada district at 106.0 mm, Kendujhargada at 104.6 mm, Telkoi at 102.0 mm, and Pallahara in Anugola district at 100.5 mm.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee has directed all urban authorities to remain on high alert and ensure prompt, coordinated and citizen-centric response to any emerging situation.
The ACS directed officials to keep all personnel, machinery and equipment in full readiness and ensure that rapid response teams remain active in the field. She emphasised that any issue reported from the field should be addressed immediately and on priority, with particular focus on minimising inconvenience to citizens.
As a confidence-building measure, Padhee also directed urban authorities to proactively communicate their preparedness and field actions through regular press briefs and social media updates. The Housing & Urban Development Department should be kept informed of the situation and actions being taken, she said.
She further directed the authorities to take necessary assistance from the department and district administration wherever required and ensure close inter-agency coordination for effective ground-level response.