Odisha to witness heavy rainfall over the next five days as depression moves across the coast near Chilika Lake

The depression over the Bay of Bengal moved over the Odisha coast near Chilika Lake on July 20, causing heavy rainfall in parts of the state. The IMD has predicted more rainfall in the next five days.

According to sources at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Chitrakonda in Malkangiri district recorded the highest rainfall of 220.5 mm, followed by Korkunda in the same district with 217 mm.

The system was located about 40 km south-southwest of Puri and 70 km east-northeast of Gopalpur on July 20 morning, the IMD said in a bulletin. The depression will continue moving west-northwestwards over Odisha and Chhattisgarh and will gradually weaken over the next 24 hours till 8.30 am on July 21.

Under its influence, Odisha is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 20. Isolated heavy rainfall may continue in the state for the next five days, the IMD bulletin said. The weatherman has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in Kandhamal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Nuapada on Saturday.

It also predicts heavy rainfall in Bargarh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore districts during the day.

The weatherman warned of temporary flooding in low-lying areas, poor visibility during heavy rainfall and traffic congestion in urban areas.

On July 21, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall at a few places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Bargarh.

Heavy rains may still hit a few places in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul and Dhenkanal on July 22, the IMD bulletin said. The Met department has also predicted heavy rains in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts on July 23.

Meanwhile, rainwater overflowed several bridges in Malkangiri district, disrupting road connectivity between Malkangiri and Kalimela, Motu and Kalimela and to neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrat Sahu asked the district collectors to strictly ban vehicular movement on flooded roads and bridges till the water subsides. “Local police should be present to regulate it,” the SRC said.

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