Bhubaneswar: The regional centre of India Meteorological Centre (IMD) here Sunday predicted heavy rains across the state owing to a fresh low pressure area formed over Bay of Bengal.
According to the 1:30pm weather bulletin of the centre, a low pressure area is very likely to develop over north and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours and is likely to become more marked thereafter bring in rains.
Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal over next 24 hours.
Thunderstorm with lightning is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khurdha, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal during the same period.
Due to likely formation of low pressure area, squally weather with gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely along and off south Odisha coast, west-central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal. Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough. IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into sea along and off south Odisha coast westcentral and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal September 2 and 3. Those who are in deep sea have been advised to return to coast by September 1 night.
The state government, meanwhile, Saturday issued an advisory and asked the district collectors to keep the administrative machinery fully prepared to meet any possible flood or water logging situation in the event of intense rainfall.
The collectors have been asked to make advance arrangements to evacuate people from vulnerable locations to safe places and provide adequate food, safe drinking water, lighting, health and sanitation facilities at the shelters and relief camps. The district emergency operation centres have been asked to operate round the clock and update the situation to the state emergency operation centre from time to time.