Southern Odisha districts received heavy rain as the well marked low pressure area over west-central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha Coast concentrated into a depression on Saturday.
According to Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, the system lay centred over north-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal near about 200 km from south of Puri by Saturday afternoon.
The system would move north-westwards and cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Puri by Saturday night, the Met Centre said, predicting heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over South Odisha.
Moreover, heavy to very heavy rainfall could occur at one or two places over north Odisha during next 24 hours. Local cautionary signal number-III has been hoisted at all ports in Odisha.
“Strong and squally surface wind from north-easterly direction withspeed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting 65 kmph would occur along and off Odisha coast. Sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off the coast,” it said.
Massive downpour in Southern Odisha district of Malkanagiri has submerged large areas in past 24 hours during which 183 mm of rainfall was recorded in the district.
Major roads connecting the district have been cut off. The bridge connecting Korkunda block of Malkanagiri have been completely gone under water. In remote areas, villagers were finding it difficult to travel from one village to another due to the flooding. The deluge was up to two ft to three ft in most parts of Malkanagiri.
Meanwhile, S. C. Sahu, Director Bhubaneswar Met Office, warned that rainfall up 250 mm could be recorded at one of two places of the State while most parts would receive heavy rain during next 24 hours.
Prasanta Patnaik