Bhubaneswar: With the formation of another low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Satyabrata Sahu alerted the Collectors of Malkangiri, Koraput and Kalahandi to take all preparedness measures to meet any eventuality in view of the low pressure.
Bhubaneswar Met Centre on Thursday said a low pressure area has formed over North-West Bay of Bengal off Odisha Coast, which lies over North-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining Odisha Coast with associated circulation extending upto 7.6 Km above mean sea level tilting South wards with height.
Under its influence light to moderate rain/ thundershowers is very likely to occur at most places of Odisha district, more particularly in South Odisha and many places in North Odisha on July 22 and 23.
All Senior Officers/ field officials of all Departments in the four districts have been asked to remain present in headquarters. They will have to visit the field and take necessary measures in the wake of the low pressure which may cause heavy rainfall, Sahu said.
The senior officers of the Water Resources Department have been directed to visit the field and inspect weak and vulnerable pockets. Men and material should be ready to meet any eventuality, he said.
The Health and Family Welfare Department has been advised to keep sufficient Anti Snake Venom (ASV) to meet the situation.
The Collectors in other districts have been advised to keep close watch of the situation.
Meanwhile, official sources said the highest Rainfall of 199 mm was recorded in Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district during the last 24 hours followed by 185 mm in Korukonda block, 183.2 mm in Malkangiri block and 114.0 mm in Kalimela Block of Malkangiri district. Met predicted heavy Rainfall in districts of Malkangiri, Koraput & Kalahandi.
At least 19 villages of Nakamamudi panchayat in Malkangiri district were cut off from the mainland following a landslide at Bayapada ghat due to incessant rainfall on Thursday.
hunks of debris came crashing onto the road from the hill, disrupting vehicular movement. The incident has affected over 3000 people residing in the area.
Road communication from the district headquarters town of Malkangiri to Balimela, Kalimela and Motu towns has also been affected. Different parts of this southern Odisha district is also witnessing severe waterlogging with water flowing over different bridges in Potteru and Kangurukonda areas.
The IMD has already issued Orange warning for districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh and Bolangir where heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) is very likely to occur at isolated places.
Yellow warning has been also issued for Rayagada, Gajapati, Khordha, Sonepur, Boudh, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur and Bargarh where heavy Rainfall (7 to 11 cm) very likely to occur at one or two places in these districts.
Under the influence of the low pressure area over northwest & adjoining Odisha coast and strong monsoon flow, Squally weather with gusty surface wind speed reaching 40 to 50 kmph very likely along & off Odisha coast, northwest adjoining West central Bay of Bengal on July 20 and 21, the IMD said.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along & off Odisha coast, Northwest & adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal during these two days.