Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 17: Heavy rainfall is expected to persist in various parts of Odisha until August 20 due to a low-pressure area over the north Bay of Bengal and neighboring regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
In response to the forecast, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu has instructed Collectors from 14 districts to be prepared for potential emergencies. The low-pressure system, which currently extends up to 5.8 kilometers above sea level and tilts southwestward, is expected to move north-northwest over the next two days, strengthening into a well-marked low-pressure area over Bangladesh and adjacent Gangetic West Bengal.
The system is anticipated to shift west-northwest across Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and surrounding areas. With the IMD predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall, the SRC has urged Collectors in Angul, Bargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Deogarh, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh to remain vigilant.
The anticipated heavy rains could lead to flash floods or flood-like conditions in rivers and streams, and may also cause waterlogging in urban areas. The SRC has directed Collectors to monitor embankments closely, especially at vulnerable points, and ensure that flood-fighting materials are strategically placed for immediate use.
