Bhubaneswar: Already witnessing downpour, several parts of Odisha are likely to be lashed by heavy rain coupled with thunder and gusty winds over the next one week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.
Predicting widespread rainfall across the state over the next seven days, the weather agency issued an orange warning for at least seven districts and a yellow warning for 23 others.
In its midday weather bulletin, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain in some places in the districts of Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabrangpur, and Koraput during the next 24 hours.
Similarly, yellow warning was issued for the districts of Sundargarh, Bargarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudhgada, Balangir, Kandhamala, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh during the period.
On June 2-3, orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain was issued for the districts of Mayurbhanj, and Koraput, while yellow alert was sounded for Baleshwar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Kendujhar, Nabrangpur, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Gajapati districts.
The IMD has advised residents of the affected districts to remain alert and take necessary precautions in view of the possibility of adverse weather conditions. Authorities have also urged people to avoid venturing into waterlogged areas and to stay indoors during thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, heavy downpour since early morning inundated several parts of Bhubaneswar, leading to waterlogging on roads and affecting vehicular movement in several localities.
Amid continuous monsoon rains and the possibility of urban flooding and waterlogging in several places, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has directed all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the state to remain on high alert and ensure immediate preparedness to tackle any rain-related exigencies.
“Protection of citizens and uninterrupted delivery of civic services during the monsoon season is our top priority. All Urban Local Bodies must remain fully prepared and respond swiftly to any emergency situation,” the Minister said.
Acting on the Minister’s directions, the department has issued advisory to all Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Notified Area Councils, asking them to take all preventive and precautionary measures to avoid urban flooding and waterlogging, particularly in identified hotspots and low-lying areas vulnerable to inundation.
The Department has instructed all ULBs to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and keep their Rapid Action Teams (RATs) fully deployed and ready for immediate response.
Municipal officers, engineers and sanitation personnel have been directed to undertake intensive field inspections and promptly address issues relating to waterlogging, blocked drains, overflowing sewers, fallen trees and other civic emergencies.
ULBs have also been asked to ensure the operational readiness of pumps, dewatering equipment, machinery and emergency response systems. Special emphasis has been laid on constant surveillance of vulnerable locations and close coordination with district administrations, disaster management authorities and other line departments to facilitate prompt and effective action.
To ensure seamless communication with citizens during the monsoon, the State’s urban grievance redressal helpline, Sahar Sathi (1929), has been fully activated. Citizens can report incidents of waterlogging, drainage issues and other civic emergencies through the helpline for immediate attention and resolution by the concerned Urban Local Bodies.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to citizen safety and resilient urban management, the Minister emphasised the need for advance planning, proactive intervention and coordinated efforts by all agencies to minimize the impact of heavy rainfall.
