Bhubaneswar: The regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar on Friday warned that heavy rain is likely to lash several places in Odisha during the next 24 hours.
It issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rains in nine districts of the state on Friday. Heavy rain is likely to occur in Sundargarh, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Bargarh and Jharsuguda today, the IMD said.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD issued a yellow warning for isolated heavy rainfall (7 cm – 11 cm) in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh and Keonjhar. Similarly, heavy rain is likely in districts including Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on Saturday.
Taking serious note of yellow warnings in several districts of the state, the Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has asked the district Collectors to be ready to face any eventuality.
In the low-lying urban areas may experience water logging and roads/drains may be submerged under water. The ULBs must keep the drains/stormwater channels de-congested and adequate de-watering pumps may be deployed as per requirement, the SRC said.
In addition, the SRC has directed the authorities to submit a damage report, if any, due to heavy rainfall for information of the government.
According to the IMD, the amount of rain will gradually decrease from Saturday and again resume on August 13.
