Bhubaneswar: Deep depression-induced rain lashed several parts of Odisha today triggering flood-like situation. In the wake of continuous rainfall in several parts of the State, Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi today said that the situation is being closely monitored and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services teams have been asked to remain alert to tackle any exigency.
Briefing media, Sethi said that several rivers in the State are in spate and as a result, rainwater is flowing over almost all the low-lying bridges of Malkangiri district and many bridges have also been submerged in Rayagada and Kandhamal districts.
“The current water level of Bansadhara River is 55.75 metre and the river is flowing above the danger level of 54.06 metre at Kashinagar. Due to the rise in the water level, the concerned administration has shifted the residents of Sara village in Kashninagar to a school building,” the SRC informed.
“Floodwater entered several areas of Gudari Town in Rayagada forcing the administration to shift many people to safer places. People residing in low-lying areas of Bissamcuttack have also been rescued and shifted. The situation is under control in Kalyansinghpur block,” added Sethi.
In Kandhamal, rainwater was flowing over two bridges at Tikabali and Tumudibandh while all the low-lying bridges in Malkangiri district have been submerged, said Sethi.
“ODRAF teams have been deployed in Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kashinagar. The Fire services teams have also been kept ready for exigencies. We are monitoring the situation and Gajapati district Collector is in touch with Srikakulam Collector in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for rescue & relief operations, if required,” said the SRC.
The depression that formed over northwest Bay of Bengal off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts has intensified into a deep depression triggering rainfall in several parts of the State.
“The deep depression now lay centred about 70 km southeast of Balasore in Odisha and 70 km south southwest of Digha in West Bengal,” said the duty officer of Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Charan Behera.
Under its influence, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Sambalpur, Deogarh, Bolangir, Nuapada and Bargarh districts. Similarly, Sonepur, Jhrasuguda, Angul, Dhenkanal and Sundergarh districts might experience heavy rainfall triggered by the deep depression.
Odisha has witnessed record rainfall in the last 24 hours. Six districts received rainfall above 100 mm while nine districts recorded 50 to 100 mm rainfall. Rayagada’s Kashipur recorded highest 330 mm, Sonepur’s Tarabha 249 mm, Muniguda 229 mm, Kandhamal’s Daringbadi 145 mm, Malkangiri’s Korkonda 175 mm and Puri recorded 106 mm rainfall.