Red alert for Odisha as low pressure to trigger heavy rainfall

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert for Odisha as a low pressure forming over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying and slowly moving towards the west. A monsoon trap line has become active on the upper part of atmosphere following which some parts of the State have already started to witness rainfall.

The IMD has also predicted that rainfall will increase across the State from today; and tomorrow onwards, some parts of the State may receive heavy rainfall till July 2. Along with Odisha, a red alert has also been issued for Chhattisgarh which is also likely to be affected by the rainfall.

In view of a possible flood like situation due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Mahanadi river, the Odisha government has been alerted and asked to take adequate measures to deal with any kind of adverse situation. The districts which are most likely to be affected due to the heavy shower are Sonepur, Boudh and Angul.

Meanwhile, fishermen have been asked to refrain from venturing into the sea.