Heavy Rains Predicted in Odisha for 5 Days, Govt Alerts Collectors & ULBs

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange warning’ for heavy and intense rainfall in many parts of Odisha including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack till July 19.

These rains will be caused by a cyclonic circulation over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbourhood between 5.8 km and 7.6 km above mean sea level. Another cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal around July 16.

Because of it, heavy rainfall may occur in Odisha from July 15 to 19 triggering flash floods and waterlogging in low lying areas.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Saturday alerted the district collectors and municipal commissioners of the state.

The SRC’s advisory stated…

*Keep the field-level functionaries in strategic locations of flash flooding/ water logging alert.

*In urban areas, in case of very heavy rain, people of low-lying areas may be shifted to safer locations.

*ULBs must keep the drains/stormwater channels de-congested, and adequate de-watering pumps may be deployed as per requirements.

*Traffic /plying of vehicles on submerged roads are to be regulated.

*De-watering steps may be taken in advance by pre-positioning water pumps with generators in low-lying areas suspectable to water logging.

*Ensure supervision of weak/ vulnerable points in river/ canal embankments.

*Drainage clearance must be ensured for free flow of rain/flood water.