Heavy rains lash Odisha, youth washed away in drain in Rourkela

Rourkela: Heavy rains triggered by depression over Bay of Bengal have caused massive destruction here with a youth missing after being washed away in an open drain at Sector-18.

According to reports, the youth identified as Nursingha was swept by the strong current after he slipped into the canal.

Though a massive rescue operation has been launched by ODRAF and Fire Services, the youth could not be traced till the filing of this report.

Normal life was adversely hit in Rourkela following the heavy rains that also lashed several parts of Odisha. Several houses have also been damaged in the gusty winds while road communication has also been disrupted as trees have been uprooted at several places.

Apart from Rourkela, Twin city of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar also witnessed heavy rainfall today.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted heavy rainfall in North Odisha in the next 24 hours.

The wind speed during the rain is likely to be around 40 km per hour, an IMD statement said and warned of heavy rainfall along the northern region till July 26.