BHUBANESWAR: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall across the state in the next two days, Odisha government today asked all the district collectors to remain alert to the possible flood situation.
"IMD sources indicate that under the influence of a low pressure area formed over the north-west Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood and associated cyclonic circulation, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in different districts with extremely heavy rainfall in some places during the period from July 20 to 22," the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi informed the district collectors through letters.
A copy of such letters is made available to the media.
Keeping this situation in view, the SRC said, he had directed all the district administrations to remain prepared to meet any flood/waterlogging situation in the district.
The SRC also directed the collectors to ensure round-the-clock functioning of the district Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) and instruct field functionaries to remain present at their respective headquarters and respond to emergency situations.
The collectors were also told to promptly respond to the state EOC in the SRC office in case of any adverse situation.
Though there is no immediate flood threat in the state, Sethi said "Keeping the Met forecast in view, the state government has taken adequate precaution to meet any eventuality.
" The IMD in a special bulletin has forecast heavy rainfall in 14 districts and very heavy rainfall in two districts in Odisha from Friday in view of the low pressure formed over the north-west Bay of Bengal intensifying further.
The rainfall which has already started in some parts of the coastal districts this morning, will increase further from Saturday and continue till Sunday, it said.
The IMD forecast heavy rain likely to lash Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Jajpur, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal on Friday, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur and Kalahandi districts on Saturday and Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj the following day.
The IMD has also issued warning for the fishermen not to venture into the sea due to inclement weather.
Besides, it has also asked the fishermen, who have gone for deep sea fishing, to return to the coast by today.
Reports from Malkangiri and Kandhamal districts said that the districts were getting heavy rainfall since morning leading to disruption in road connection in some parts.