BHUBANESWAR: Even as flash floods have hit Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, the low pressure formed off Odisha coast is set to induce more rains in the State. Going by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as many as 10 districts are likely to receive heavy to very heavy showers in next three days.
The weather office said Ganjam, Kandhamal, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts are slated to receive heavy rain over next 72 hours. Extremely heavy rainfall will lash some of the southern districts. The State Government has already directed the districts to remain alert.
So severe were the showers in the last 24 hours that the rainfall sent two rivers in Kalahandi and Rayagada into spate. On Sunday, when the average rainfall in the State was 17 mm, in Rayagada it was 85 mm whereas in Kalahandi, it was close to 60 mm.
On Saturday, Thuamul-Rampur in Kalahandi had received 260 mm rain while Kashipur in Rayagada recorded 237 mm rain. At least 10 stations across the region recorded over 100 mm rain on the day.
The threat of flash floods in other districts remained potent given the significant amount of showers they received. The district average in Nabarangpur was 46.4 mm while in Gajapati, it was 46 mm. Koraput averaged 36 mm rainfall on the day.
The weather office said the low pressure may become marked over next 24 hours and trigger more rains. A five-day outlook issued by the IMD said rains will continue till July 21. Meanwhile, the daily flood bulletin issued by the Water Resources Department provided updates till July 15 only.
On alert
Ganjam, Kandhamal, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri slated to receive heavy rain over next 72 hours
The threat of flash floods in other districts high given the amount of rain
Nabarangpur received 46.4 mm rainfall while it was 46 mm in Gajapati and 36 mm in Koraput
Low pressure may become marked over next 24 hours and trigger more rains