The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert warning on Sunday against extremely heavy rains in certain parts of Odisha due to the genesis of another low over the Bay of Bengal.
The weather system is likely to take a northwestward trajectory and intensify in the coming days, sparking apprehensions over the state of Odisha, dealing with floods in seven districts of the state. A relief operation has reportedly evacuated around one lakh people to relief camps in the wake of the flood water submerging villages.
The IMD has issued a warning that the extreme state of Odisha may receive rain of more than 20cm within a span of 24 hours in some areas. Avoid entry into the waters off and along the coast of West Bengal, surrounding Bangladesh, Odisha and all the North coastal Andhra Pradesh from August 16 to 18 has also been advised to the fishermen.
The weather system will also usher in rain and gusty conditions with gusts up to 60 kmph and winds up to 40 kmph in various parts of Bay of Bengal and its adjoining marine areas.
The Odisha government has alerted district Collectors and instructions have been issued to the urban local bodies to be ready to face any situation. The authorities are also invited to maintain a collective response and to communicate regularly on the measures taken to be prepared to the population.
The flood condition is severe in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. Around 2.70 lakh have been impacted in 503 villages, in 52 blocks of 19 districts, according to officials.
There are reports of flooding along the Baitarani River, along with its tributaries, in addition to the Brahmani River, along with its tributaries, the Salandi, Jalaka and Budhabalanga rivers and along with its tributaries.
The officials, meanwhile, stated that the water level of Subarnarekha river, which was rising, started declining on Sunday morning. The level of the river at Rajghat in Jaleswar was 9.21 metres, which was below the danger level of 10.36 metres.
Authorities are continuing relief and flood management operations across Odisha as they are on the lookout for the state after yet another case of heavy rainfall was expected.