Flood alert issued for six districts in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Met department has forecast heavy rains due to low pressure over Bay of Bengal following which the Odisha government today directed six Collectors to remain alert for possible flash flood in some rivers.

The Collectors of Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh have been alerted to face any possible eventuality, deputy relief commissioner said. "You are requested to remain in full preparedness to face any eventuality. Please ensure that field officials are in their respective position," a communication from the office of the SRC to the collectors said.

As per Met prediction, heavy rain is likely to occur in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sonepur and Sundergarh under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal which may trigger a low pressure area over Bay of Bengal in next 24 hours. There are chances of flash flood in major rivers like Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Baitarani and Brahmani due to incessant rains in the upstream. Even coastal and interior Odisha may also witness moderate rainfall, he added.

Fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea along and off the Odisha coast as sea condition is likely to prevail moderate to rough due to Southwesterly wind flow with speed reaching 40-45 kmph gusting 55 kmph along and off Odisha coast, said IMD.

SRC Bishnupada Sethi said all precautionary measures have been taken to face the possible calamity. "All major rivers are still flowing under danger level except Baitarani which has crossed the danger mark at Akhuapada near Anandpur in Keonjhar district. We have alerted the district Collectors in the lower catchment area of the river. One ODRAF team has been mobilised to Keonjhar . Water Resources engineers have kept a close eye on the rivers. All measures have been taken to evacuate people if any such situation arises,” Sethi added.