Bhubaneswar: Incessant rains lashed several parts of Odisha since Sunday paralyzing normal life as a depression over northwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining Odisha intensified into a deep depression.
The latest coastal observations indicate that the deep depression further moved west-northwest wards and crossed the north Odisha coast, close to the south of Chandbali this morning.
It is very likely to continue to move west-northwest wards across north Odisha, north Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh during the next 48 hours and are very likely to weaken into a depression during the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, State Special Relief Commissioner(SRC) office sources said Puri recorded the highest rainfall of 341 mm followed by Paradeep(219 mm), Bhubaneswar (195mm) and Gopalpur(64 mm) in the past 24 hours.
Several low lying areas were waterlogged and water levels in many rivers in the state started rising to threaten possible floods and submergence of areas along the riverside.
The Odisha government has already alerted collectors of all the districts under red, orange and yellow warnings to closely monitor the situation and remain prepared to meet any eventuality
Met sources said moderate rain, thundershowers with one or two very intense spells of rain are very likely to affect some parts of districts of Puri, Cuttack (including Cuttack city), Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Nayagarh, and Kendrapara.
People in these districts are advised not to move out as there is a possibility of flash floods, water logging in low lying areas, reduction in visibility causing traffic congestion in city areas.
The Met sources also warned that some parts of the districts of Khordha (including Bhubaneswar city), Boudh, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Angul, Jajpur, and Boudh will receive heavy rains today.
The People are advised to keep a watch on the weather for worsening conditions and be ready to move to safer places accordingly.
The state government has asked the district magistrates to alert the BDOs, Tahsildars, Executive Engineers of the Roads and Works department to keep a continuous vigil of low lying areas and undertake to dewater wherever required including urban areas.
The government directed the district magistrate to ensure the functioning of the control room round the clock and send the rainfall report immediately to the SRC office.
The weather office warned that the rain might cause temporary waterlogging, traffic congestion in urban areas and damage to kutcha roads.
During the period wind speed reaching 45-55 mph gusting to 65kmph is likely along and off Odisha coast.
The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till September 14 as sea conditions along the coast would be rough to very rough.
