Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours, which is likely to intensify into a depression by the evening of September 26. According to the IMD, the system may cross the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of September 27.
Under its influence, extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Koraput and Malkangiri districts, while other parts of south Odisha are likely to experience heavy showers.
In view of the alert, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu convened a video conference at noon today with collectors of 18 districts — Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Nuapada — to review preparedness measures.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, the IMD Director, the Executive Director of OSDMA, and senior officials from the SRC office.
Collectors of vulnerable districts, particularly Koraput and Malkangiri, have been instructed to remain on high alert. Fire Services and ODRAF teams have been mobilized where necessary, while drainage engineers and field staff have been asked to keep manpower and equipment ready to tackle any possible flooding.
“The administration is fully prepared, and the state government is closely monitoring developments. People are urged not to panic or believe in rumours,” officials stated.
