The Odisha government on Sunday alerted the Collectors of all districts about possible flooding due to heavy rain across the state over the past three days under the impact of a low-pressure formation in the Bay of Bengal.
“The district administrations are directed to remain watchful and be in readiness to meet any eventuality,” said a written instruction released from the office of the special relief commissioner to all the District Collectors. District emergency operation centres were to be activated immediately and would remain active 24x7, added the guidelines, whose copies were also circulated to mediapersons.
Because of continued rainfall, water levels have already begun to rise in several major rivers in south and north Odisha, like the Bamsadhara, Rusikulya, Bramhani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga.
In fact, Bamsadhara, a major river in south Odisha, was flowing above the danger mark at the time of the writing this report. On Sunday, Baripada, the headquarters of north Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, recorded a maximum 80 mm of rain, followed by Paradip in coastal Jagatsinghpur district (40 mm) and Keonjhar in north Odisha's Keonjhar district (38 mm).
“Rain will continue across the state over the next 48 hours. However, in some places, particularly in north and south Odisha, the rainfall will be heavy to very heavy,” said Met.