BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Saturday asked the Collectors to remain alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall across the districts in next four days.
With low pressure forming over the Bay of Bengal, off Odisha coast, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)'s office asked the districts to be vigilant and in a state of readiness. All the Collectors have been asked to activate emergency operation centres immediately on 24x7 basis.
Propositioning of essential relief materials, including food and boats should be made, the SRC office said. Some pockets in Koraput and Sundargarh have already reported flood-like situation with incessant rains for the last 24 hours.
The IMD said, rains lashed several parts of the State in the past 24 hours with the cyclonic circulation turning into a low pressure. Puri received about 200 mm rain in last 36 hours, while Paradip and Talcher recorded close to 130 mm showers. Daringibadi, Phulbani and Sonepur recorded close to 80 mm rain while Bhubaneswar and Cuttack received close to 70 mm rain.
Western Odisha pockets were also hit by intermittent rains. Bhawanipatna, Balangir, Titlagarh and Sambalpur also received rain in moderate measures while Sonepur recorded 77 mm rain.
The weather office predicted that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at some places over north and south districts during the next 24 hours. Extremely heavy showers are expected at one or two places over northern regions of the State while heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur in south Odisha during the next 24 to 48 hours. The rains would continue till July 24 before giving the State a brief respite. The showers will resume from July 25.
The ongoing rains could help wipe out the huge deficit the State has been witnessing due to a prolonged dry spell. The rain in last two weeks has already halved the deficit - from 51 per cent to 24 per cent. As on Saturday, the State has recorded 314.2 mm rain against the normal of 413.8 mm.