Odisha Braces for More Rain as Bay of Bengal Cyclonic Circulation Likely

Odisha is likely to witness an increase in rainfall from Thursday as a cyclonic circulation is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of coastal Odisha.

The state has already received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours. Balangir recorded 101 mm, Bargarh 95.8 mm, Jharsuguda 37.3 mm, Malkangiri 36.4 mm and Jajpur 31.5 mm. Barkot block in Deogarh district recorded the highest rainfall at 162.2 mm. Four blocks received more than 100 mm, while nine blocks and one urban area recorded between 50 and 100 mm. Odisha received 344.4 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 25.

Flooding has affected parts of Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts. In Bhadrak, 75,432 people across 70 villages in Tihidi and Chandbali blocks have been affected. In Jajpur, around 21,000 people across 41 villages have been impacted, while Kendrapada has reported 5,475 affected people.

Heavy rain has also affected parts of Keonjhar, Nabarangpur and Koraput. Around 1,622 people were shifted to relief camps in Nabarangpur and 660 people were evacuated in Koraput. Nine rescue teams have been deployed for emergency operations.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Baitarani, Salandi, Subarnarekha and Brahmani rivers are declining, improving the flood situation. However, authorities are closely monitoring the Mahanadi. Mundali is currently witnessing a flow of around 2.09 lakh cubic feet per second, with the discharge expected to rise as more water reaches the barrage.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said six districts have been affected, with 1,07,235 people impacted and 2,282 evacuated. Relief is being provided at 95 flood shelters, while 28 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 40 fire service teams remain deployed. Waterlogging in Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore may take another two to three days to recede.