Bhubaneswar: With very severe cyclonic storm Titli making landfall in Gopalpur early morning today leading to a downpour in eight districts, Odisha is now staring at a possible flood situation in its coastal belt, an official said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, is very likely in Odisha in the next 24 hours.
“We believe that the entire state, except some western parts, is likely to receive rain throughout the day. Depending upon the rainfall, we may see some flood in coastal Odisha. However, there is no flood-like situation as of now,” said Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.
“There may be flooding of the Vansadhara river as Gajapati and Rayagada districts received heavy rainfall due to the cyclone,” he added.
The officer said that Gajapati district, which was most affected, received more than 200 mm of rainfall while Mohana block in the district received the maximum rainfall of 315 mm.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday reviewed the cyclone situation.
Titli made landfall between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast early Thursday morning, disrupting road and telecommunications networks and power supply in most parts of Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
The maximum brunt was borne by Gajapati district, with uprooted trees hampering movement of vehicles.
Due to heavy rainfall Ledabandha river swelled 3-feet above the road leading to disruption in road services between Berhampur and Rayagada.
Water also flowed 5-feet above Atharnala bridge cutting communication to as many as 8 panchayats of Mohana which has recorded at least 315 mm of rain.
However, the damage in Ganjam district is lesser than what was anticipated. But flood threat loomed large in Aska and Sorada block of the district. Road communication was disrupted between Berhampur and Aska as water level flowed above the road at Nalabantha.
Low lying areas like Goudamatha, Khamar, Damodarpalli, Deuli have been marooned triggering panic among the locals.
Water level was also flowing above the danger mark in Rushikulya river system while flood water was released from Harabhanga through two gates of Badanala. The district administration relocated residents living in Patrapur, Chikiti, Sanakhemundi,Dharakote and other nearby areas.
Water Resources Minister Pradeep Jena said even as there is possibility of flood situation in Odisha, but the government is trying to control it so we hope that eventualities can be avoided.