BHUBANESWAR: As the low pressure area over Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression, the Odisha Government on Sunday alerted five north and adjoining coastal districts to remain prepared for heavy downpour over the next two days.
The office of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) issued an advisory to administration of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Jajpur and asked them to keep all arrangements in place to meet eventualities arising out of flooding situations.
Essential items must be pre-positioned and teams should be kept in readiness, the SRC office said and added that situation reports should be filed regularly.
The alert was issued as the system formed over north-east Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Bangladesh and Gangetic West Bengal turned into a depression. It was lying about 400 km east of Balasore. The system is likely to remain practically stationary before concentrating into a deep depression during the next 48 hours.
Under its influence, rain and thundershower may occur at many places over Odisha. Heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places over north Odisha during the next 24 hours.
The India Meteorological Department said north and adjoining coastal districts could face heavy showers on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesday onwards, the system will trigger rains in coastal and interior pockets of the State.
“The system is stationary and showing signs of further intensification,” IMD, Director SC Sahu said. Till July 28, catchments of Brahmani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga will receive showers. On July 29 and 30, the rainfall zone will shift to Lower Brahmani and Lower Mahanadi catchments. In the next two days, upper catchments of Mahanadi will be lashed by showers. Even southern Odisha will get rains.
Pilgrim Town Puri, where Bahuda Yatra was conducted on Sunday, received drizzles. Maximum rainfall of 5 mm was recorded in the coastal town. On Monday, when ‘Sunabesha’ of the three deities will be held, similar conditions are expected. The religious occasion draws heavy footfall of tourists.
Meanwhile, Local Cautionary Signal Number 3 has been hoisted at all ports in Odisha. Gusty surface wind reaching a speed of 45 to 50 km per hour may prevail off the coast, the IMD said. It advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea in north Odisha as the condition would be rough to very rough.