Bhubaneswar, Sept 23: Odisha is bracing for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moves towards the state coast. Several districts have been placed under Red and Orange warnings, prompting administrations to step up preparedness and precautionary measures.
Ganjam, Gajapati and Koraput are under a Red Warning for very heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department has also issued a Red Warning for Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur for Thursday.
Ganjam on High Alert
The Ganjam district administration has intensified preparedness measures amid the weather system. The Collector inspected several cyclone shelters and reviewed the situation.
As a precaution, 216 people have been shifted to cyclone shelters, while 943 pregnant women have been identified. They will be moved to nearby health centres if required.
Schools and colleges have been closed in the district, while officials are continuously monitoring vulnerable areas. The administration has also assisted 61 fishing trawlers from Andhra Pradesh that were stranded near Aryapalli and helped bring them safely to the shore.
Gajapati Administration Steps Up Vigil
In Gajapati, the impact of the weather system has remained relatively limited so far. After intermittent rain on Tuesday afternoon, rainfall stopped for several hours before light showers resumed later.
Around 2,000 people had been shifted to various cyclone shelters by Tuesday night as a precaution. The district administration remains on alert, with ODRAF and Fire Services teams kept ready at the block level.
While Gajapati was under a Red Warning on Tuesday, an Orange Warning has been issued for Wednesday.
Jagatsinghpur Keeps Emergency Measures Ready
Jagatsinghpur has been experiencing rainfall for the past two days due to the weather system. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres have been closed in view of the rain and wind.
The administration has cancelled leave for government employees and directed them not to leave the district headquarters. Polythene sheets and dry food have been stocked at different tehsil offices.
All fishermen who had ventured into the sea have returned to shore, while the sea remains rough. The administration is monitoring the situation and is prepared to take further measures if rainfall and wind intensify.
Kalahandi Sees Continuous Rainfall
Kalahandi has been witnessing continuous rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning since Tuesday, affecting normal life.
Schools and colleges have been closed, while government departments have been directed to remain prepared for emergency situations. Authorities are keeping a close watch on low-lying and waterlogged areas as well as locations where road communication could be affected.
Malkangiri on High Alert
The Malkangiri administration has stepped up preparedness as the district remains under a Red Warning for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a Yellow Warning on September 25.
Government employees' leave has been cancelled for three days. Twenty-six flood shelters have been kept ready with adequate food supplies.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres will remain closed from Wednesday to September 25. However, teachers and Anganwadi workers have been directed to remain present at their respective institutions and centres.
Two ODRAF teams have reached Malkangiri, with one deployed in Kalimela and the other in Mathili. Fire Services personnel have also been placed on alert.
Officials have been directed to stock essential supplies, while fishermen have been advised to stay away from the Satiguda and Balimela reservoirs for three days.
The administration has also directed officials to identify pregnant women and shift them to safer locations if necessary. Arrangements have been made to provide food to stranded vehicles in case roads are affected by flooding.
Railways Step Up Preparedness
The East Coast Railway has also intensified preparedness following the possibility of heavy rainfall across Odisha.
A 24-hour Disaster Management Cell has been opened at Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar to monitor the weather and coordinate emergency response. Emergency control rooms are also functioning round the clock at the divisional headquarters in Khurda Road, Sambalpur and Rayagada.
Railway officials are closely monitoring vulnerable locations, including bridges, tracks, yards, signalling systems and overhead equipment. Track inspections have been intensified, with additional patrolmen and watchmen deployed at vulnerable stretches.
Emergency equipment and manpower have also been kept ready at various locations to deal with any disruption to train services or railway infrastructure.
With the deep depression approaching the Odisha coast, district administrations and railway authorities remain on alert, with a focus on evacuation, emergency response and maintaining essential services.
