Red Alert: Extremely Heavy Rain Likely In Odisha Today, IMD Warns Of Flash Flood, Squall@65kmph

Bhubaneswar: The Depression over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, which is likely to cross Odisha coast near Puri during early morning hours of July 20, may trigger very heavy rain and flash flood in the state.

“A Depression has formed and lay centered at 8.30 am over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal off Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coasts, about 70 km southeast of Puri (Odisha), 130 km East of Gopalpur (Odisha), 130 km south-southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 240 km east-northeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is likely to move northwestwards and cross Odisha coast near Puri as a depression during early morning hours of July 20. Thereafter, it would move west-northwestwards across Odisha and Chhattisgarh and weaken gradually during subsequent 24 hours,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a special bulletin.

Under its influence, Odisha is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till July 23.

The weather agency has issued red warning for scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20cm) at one or two places in Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur districts on July 19.

Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) has also been sounded for one or two places in Kandhamal, Boudh, Balangir, Nuapada, Rayagada, Ganjam and Gajapati.

Heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) may also occur at one or two places in Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur till 8.30 am on Saturday (July 20).

Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph may prevail over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal and along and off North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, coasts on July 19-20 and decrease gradually thereafter. Sea condition may remain rough to very rough sea condition during this period. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha coasts till July 20.

The IMD has also warned of flash flood/waterlogging in low-lying areas, inundation of agriculture field, mudslides/landslides in vulnerable hilly areas. There is also a possibility of some damage to kutcha road, wall collapse of vulnerable kutcha houses, waterlogging in underpass road and occasional reduction of visibility causing traffic congestion in urban areas.

It further stated that the downpour may lead to significant rise in water level of rivers. “Avoid movement in affected areas, stay in safe place. vii) Postponed fertilizer/chemicals application in agricultural field, keep livestock in safe place. Mining activity may be judicially regulated (Koraput district). Avoid staying in vulnerable kutchha houses. Advisory on traffic congestion may be followed before leaving for your destination.”

The orange warning continues on July 20 with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for one or two places in Kandhamal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Balangir and Nuapada. Heavy rainfall may also occur at one or two places in Bargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore districts.

On July 21, heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Bargarh. Heavy rain may continue to lash one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, and Dhenkanal during the subsequent 24 hours.

On July 23, heavy rainfall warning has been issued for one or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts.