Odisha asks districts to remain alert for possible flood

Bhubaneswar, June 29 (IANS) The Odisha government on Saturday asked all district collectors to remain alert for a possible flood situation as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall under the influence of low pressure.

In a letter to all collectors, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi asked them to closely monitor the situation.

"Administrative machinery of all the districts especially the districts of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabaragpur, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri and Balasore to remain alert to meet any localised flood/waterlogging situation that may arise in the event of extremely/ very heavy rainfall," said Sethi.

IMD said a low pressure area is likely to form over North Bay of Bengal and the neighbourhood during the next 24 hours which may concentrate into a depression during the subsequent 48 hours.

Under its influence, enhanced rainfall activity is very likely over districts of Odisha, it added.

The MeT department has warned of heavy rainfall in several parts of the state till July 2.

The SRC letter advised fishermen not to venture along and off the Odisha coast and North Bay of Bengal from June 30 to July 2 and those in the deep sea are advised to return to the coast by Saturday night.