Bhubaneswar: The depression over the Bay of Bengal has gradually weakened and the intensity of rainfall has dwindled in the state bringing the much-needed relief to the farmers in the state who were apprehending crop loss.
Bhubaneswar Met Centre director Sarat Chandra Sahu told Orissa POST Saturday dry weather condition will prevail in almost all places across the state in the next three days. A few places in the coastal and interior districts may receive downpour Sunday too, he added. The deep depression over west central Bay of Bengal moved north-north-westwards and weakened into a depression over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).
‘‘Bringing relief to the farmers who were apprehensive of the damage to their standing crop in the event of rain, the Met officials indicated that the system is likely to move north-northeastwards along and off Orissa coast towards West Bengal and adjoining areas. It is likely to weaken gradually into a well-marked low pressure in the next 12 hours,’’ it said.
A total of 18 districts – Angul, Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh – did not receive any rain, said the Met department.
Meanwhile, damage to paddy and vegetable crops have been reported at several places including Ganjam, Cuttack, Jagatsingpur and Puri due to unseasonal rains. The government would seek crop damage report from the district collectors and accordingly it would take action.
“Crops in the coastal districts have been damaged. We will take action after getting the damage reports,” said Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty.
Squally winds with speed reaching 45-55 km per hour, gusting to 65 kmph, are likely along and off Orissa coasts in the next 24 hours and the sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Orissa coast during the period.
While signal No. 3 (LC-III) has been kept hoisted at all ports in the state, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea.
The state has received 8.3 mm average rainfall Saturday.
The highest rainfall of 68 mm was recorded in Puri followed by 67.3 mm in Jagatsinghpur, 44 mm in Kendrapara, 20 mm in Khurda, 19.5 mm in Cuttack, 14 mm in Jajpur, and 11.8 mm. in Bhadrak.
PNN
