Puri wakes up to heavy rainfall, knee-deep water on 'Bada Danda'

The holy city of Lord Jagannath woke up to heavy rainfall with the 'Bada Danda' being submerged under knee-deep water as heavy rain pounded several parts of the state this morning. Heavy rainfall continued to lash Puri on Friday under the influence of a 'low pressure' formed over the Bay of Bengal.

Devotees and tourists braved the heavy rainfall to seek the blessings of the Holy Trinity. However, they had a harrowing time as they were left stranded at different locations of the city due to the massive waterlogging.

Waterlogging has disappointed many visitors as Hospital Chowk, Balagandi and Mausima Temple were the major spots where waterlogging was reported. Apart from tourists, school students were seen braving the rainwater to reach educational institutions as there was a holiday declaration for just one day on Thursday.

With no holiday declaration for Friday, students on bicycles and with umbrellas over their heads were seen wading through three to four-feet water to reach their schools.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Warning for at least 12 districts in Odisha.