Low pressure triggers heavy rainfall in coastal Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Most parts of coastal Odisha experienced widespread rainfall with heavy rainfall at one or two places today under the influence of a low pressure.

According to a Met release, the cyclonic circulation formed over south-west Bay of Bengal yesterday turned into a low pressure this morning and is now centred between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast. Under its influence, there will be heavy rainfall in most parts of the Odisha and extremely heavy rainfall in some parts of north and south Odisha in the next 24 hours. The rainfall activity will continue for 4-5 days, the release added.

Cuttack with 76.8 mm recorded the highest rainfall till 5.30 pm today followed by Bhubaneswar (38.6), Balasore (27), Dhenkanal (16), Puri (10) and Gopalpur and Daringbadi (6 mm each).

Normal life was disrupted in Cuttack after torrential rains lashed the city for nearly three hours today. In the low-lying areas of Badambadi, Kesharpur, Meria Bazar, Patapola, Khatbin Sahi, Balu Bazar, Thoria Sahi, Raja Bagicha, Sheikh Bazar and Chandi Mandir Square, vehicles were seen plying through knee-deep rainwater.

The denizens of the city alleged that such a situation had arisen since there is no release of rainwater due to incomplete drainage work by under the JICA project.

When asked about the matter, commissioner and the Mayor of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) said 35 high-powered pumps have been engaged to release the rainwater.