Heavy rains lash Odisha as low pressure turns into depression

Bhubaneswar: With intensifying of the low pressure over North-west Bay of Bengal into a depression, heavy rainfall continues to lash several parts of the State including the Twin City and will stay active for more 24 hours thereby causing heavy to very heavy rainfall, meteorological sources said.

The meteorological department predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorm alert for 17 districts today especially in northern and southern belt of the State.

“The low pressure has concentrated to a depression and is centred on 25 kms south of Digha in West Bengal and due to that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in north Odisha while heavy rainfall is likely at several places in south Odisha. Almost all parts of the state will get moderate to heavy rainfall in next 24 hours,” Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre director HR Biswas said.

“Thereafter the intensity of rainfall will decrease. Fishermen have been warned from venturing out into sea till tomorrow,” Biswas said adding that catchment areas of Baitarani and Brahmani and upper areas of Mahanadi are likely to get heavy rainfall.

Due to heavy rainfall in last 24 hours, several low lying parts of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have witnessed deluge.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) geared up to tackle the situation and deployed 13 teams for all the 67 wards of the city. As many as 40 engineers have been roped in to look into water logging issues. A 24-hour control room with (toll free number- 0674 2432281 and an operation centre with (toll-free number- 1800 345006) have been set up to meet emergency.

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With several areas marooned in rain, the Cuttack district administration today declared closure of all educational institutions.

Similarly, heavy rain also brought normal life to standstill in Paradip which has recorded a maximum of 412 mm rain in last 24 hours. Several areas of Paradip Port including its prohibited parts witnessed waterlogging after rainfall thereby affecting loading and unloading of consignments.