Odisha government prepares for tackling possible flood

Bhubaneswar: With heavy rains lashing several parts of Odisha, the state government on Sunday geared up to deal with any possible flood as more rains accompanied by high-speed wind was forecast for next few days.

As heavy rainfall is predicted till July 23 in different parts, the state government has braced up to meet any eventuality and alerted the districts, Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Ranjan Mohapatra said.

"Though there is no imminent threat of flood, the office of the special relief commissioner has asked all the district administration to remain watchful and be in a state of readiness to meet any eventuality," he said.

Under the influence of a cyclonic circulation, a low pressure area has formed over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas which is expected to trigger rains for the next few days in Odisha, the meteorological centre here said.

Rain and thundershower would occur at most places over the state during the next two days, said Sarat Sahu, Director of the meteorological centre here. Isolated extremely heavy fall with heavy to very heavy rainfall over North Odisha and heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over South Odisha is expected to occur till tomorrow, he said.

Gusty surface wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 60 kmph may prevail along and off Odisha coast, the met office said in a bulletin, advising fishermen not to venture into the sea.

The office of the special relief commissioner (SRC) in a communication said IMD sources indicated that some places in north Odisha could get heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rainfall tomorrow. Some places in interior parts might get extremely heavy rainfall on July 22, it said.

As continuous heavy rainfall could cause flood in different rivers, the district administration should remain watchful and be ready to meet any eventuality, the SRC office said asking all officers to remain present in headquarters.

The district Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) should be activated and steps taken for pre-positioning of food in inaccessible and strategic places, said the communication which was released to the media.

Arrangements should also be made for putting in place boats for various operations while rainfall data of the district should be uploaded in rainfall monitoring portal or sent to EOC (Emergency Operation Centre) in time, it said.