Bhubaneswar, October 29: Following the landfall of Cyclone Montha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar reported that 25 areas in Odisha has experienced heavy rainfall. IMD Bhubaneswar Director, Dr. Manorama Mohanty, informed these updates on Wednesday, cautioning that the state is likely to see more rainfall in the coming hours.
According to Dr. Mohanty, Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall of 150.5 millimetres, with isolated areas expected to experience heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. The forecast predicts widespread rainfall throughout Odisha, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. "In the past 24 hours, 25 places reported heavy rainfall, and two areas experienced very heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall of 150.5 millimetres was recorded in Gajapati district. We expect isolated heavy rain over the next 24 hours, along with thunderstorm activity, lightning, and gusty winds," said Mohanty. She also issued warnings for districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak.
Mohanty said that the cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ had moved north-northwest at a speed of 15 km/h over the past six hours. It is expected to continue its northwestward path and weaken into a deep depression within the next three hours. "The storm has moved north-northwesterly with a speed of 15 km/h, and it is currently about 460 km southwest of Gopalpur. It will continue moving northwest and is likely to weaken into a deep depression in the next three hours and into a depression within the subsequent six hours," she said.
Meanwhile, at Gopalpur, the sea has become increasingly turbulent due to Cyclone Montha. Fishing boats have been anchored at the Gopalpur fishing landing center, and the district administration has prohibited fishermen from venturing out to sea. Rajkishor Das, Assistant Fisheries Officer, stated, "The district administration has imposed restrictions for fishermen, prohibiting them from going out to sea. We will resume once we receive clearance."
