Heavy rainfall continued across several parts of Odisha on Wednesday as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moved closer to the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast. The system is expected to cross the coast near Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The deep depression was moving westwards at around 12 kmph and was located about 150 km south of Gopalpur during the morning. The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds to several districts of southern Odisha.
Rain has intensified in districts including Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kalahandi. The weather system is expected to move further towards Chhattisgarh after crossing the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh region.
The state government has stepped up preparedness to deal with possible rain-related emergencies. A total of 33 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed or kept ready in vulnerable districts. Six teams each have been deployed in Ganjam and Koraput, while teams have also been positioned in Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Balangir.
The Chief Secretary and senior officials have reviewed the situation with district Collectors, while the administration has identified shelters and made arrangements for possible evacuation from vulnerable and low-lying areas.
Schools, Colleges to Remain Closed
In view of the forecast of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, educational institutions have been shut in several districts as a precautionary measure. Schools and Anganwadi centres in vulnerable districts have been ordered to remain closed till September 24.
On Wednesday, schools and colleges remained closed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Khurda, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Balangir and Kalahandi following directions from the respective district administrations.
The administrations of Koraput and Rayagada have also ordered all educational institutions to remain closed on September 24. The closure covers primary, upper-primary, secondary and higher-secondary schools, as well as institutions under the School and Mass Education and ST & SC Development departments.
Central schools, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas, aided schools and private schools in the two districts will also remain closed on September 24.
Authorities have advised people in vulnerable areas to remain alert and avoid crossing swollen streams and rivers. The administration is closely monitoring the situation as more intense rainfall is expected in parts of Odisha during the evening and night.