Heavy rainfall triggers fear of flood in state

Collectors asked to be alert

The state Relief Commissioner has asked the district collectors to stay alert as incessant rainfall in past two days and warnings of more wet days ahead have triggered fears of floods.

“It is true that water level in all major rivers has gone up, but none of the rivers has crossed the danger mark as of Sunday morning. But there is a possibility that these rivers would cross the danger mark if the rain continues over the next 48 hours and therefore, the collectors have been asked to be watchful of the situation”, deputy relief commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said in a press briefing.

At least five rivers are nearing the danger mark due to incessant rains.

Latest reports said in Rayagada district, Bansadhara and Nagabali were just above the danger level. Similarly in north Odisha water level in major rivers such as Brahmani, Baitarani and Budhabalanga was also rising and was likely to cross the critical mark if rainfall continues for next 24 hours.Reports from Ganjam district said, the water level of Rushikulya and its tributaries Loharakhandi and Badanadi was on the rise along with major rivers of Nayagarh district, sources in the relief commissioner’s office said.

However, since major amount of rainfall has been recorded in the coastal areas and not in the catchment areas of the rivers, chances of flood are limited, they said.

The local branch of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain fall in next couple of days because of low pressure and active southwest monsoon.“SW (southwest) monsoon has been active over Odisha. Rainfall has occurred at most places over Odisha with very heavy rainfall at one or two places of  Odisha. Isolated extreme heavy fall with heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur at one or two places over north and south Odisha in next 48 hours,” the IMD said in its forecast on Sunday.

Monsoon data said, Odisha has received 55 per cent more than normal rainfall in the week ending July 16, compared to more than 70 per cent deficit last month. By Sunday morning, Dhenkanal received highest rainfall 19 (cm), followed by Cuttack, which recorded 18 cm rainfall.

The weather department has predicted another low pressure that could cause heavy rainfall after July 25.
 
The low pressure area which is currently hovering around north periphery of the Bay of Bengal and the adjoining West Bengal and Bangladesh is likely to shift to north Odisha on Monday and to west Odisha and Chhatisgarh on Tuesday.

“A new low pressure area is likely to be formed on north-west Bay on July 25 or 26,” said Prof SN Pasupalak, the head of Agrometeorology department of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology.