Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 20: In a second spell of monsoon for the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Sunday traced an active southwest monsoon along with a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The system hovering over the state may trigger torrential rain, which is likely to more than make up for this year’s deficit rainfall.
The local Met Centre here has warned of heavy to very heavy rain in the interior and a few parts of the coastal belt in the next 24 hours leading to a flood-like situation in the riparian banks of rivers Subarnarekha, Indravati, Baitarani, upper Bramhani and upper Mahanadi. However, the flood situation in rivers Banshadhara in Rayagada district and Rushikulya in Ganjam district has improved.
“The rainfall will be harsh over the interior parts of the state. We have informed the special relief commissioner about the possible situation of the rivers. Accordingly, the authorities will prepare the district officials about the impending danger,” said Met director Sarat Sahu.
Southern parts of state has already witnessed floods with rivers and tributaries flowing above danger marks in Malkangiri and Koraput districts. Incessant rains in both the districts, induced by low pressure for the past few days, have brought vehicular traffic to a grinding halt and disrupting normal life.
Many houses in Pangam area are water logged. Road communication from Jeypore, Kalimela and Balimela to Malkangiri has been disrupted as floodwater is flowing on MV 11 bridge. Water level in Poteru and other rivers is also on the rise.
However, providing respite to the people of southern Orissa, the Met director has said the active low pressure area is moving northwards which may skip southern region in terms of rain in the days to come. The system is hovering over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal at 8.30am Sunday, he added.
Meanwhile, the recent rainfall has made up the deficit rainfall phenomenon with the Met officials stating that Orissa’s deficit rain now stands at only 9 per cent less than normal this season affecting only six districts.
Gusty surface wind speed reaching up to 40 kmph from northeasterly direction may prevail along and off south Orissa coast. As the sea condition will remain moderate to rough, fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday discussed with collectors of four districts including Malkangiri over the flood situation and asked them to report losses within a week.
Weather officials have also traced moderate to heavy rain at almost all parts of the state in the past 24 hours with a highest of 72mm rain recorded at Talcher, 53mm at Balangir, 50 mm at Puri and 48 mm at Cuttack. The capital city received a mere 9.4 mm rain Sunday.
