Heavy rains throw life out of gear in Odisha

Heavy rains pounded several parts of Odisha, throwing life out of gear today even as more rainfall coupled with gusty surface wind is forecast for the next two days under the impact of a low pressure.
"As most parts of western Odisha were lashed by heavy downpour, Sambalpur town recorded the highest rainfall of 200.7 mm," Sarat Sahu, Director of local meteorological centre here, said.
Normal life was paralysed in western Odisha city of Sambalpur amid inundation of low-lying areas and roads due to heavy rains. While vehicular movement was crippled due to submerged roads in many localities, shops and business establishments were shut, police said.

Incessant rains affected normal life at many places as Chandbali recorded 80 mm rainfall, while rainfall was 43.8 mm in Titlagarh, 43 mm in Phulbani, 41 mm in Paradip an 30 mm in Koraput, the MeT office said.
The state capital of Bhubaneswar recorded 17.9 mm rainfall as several areas of the city including Acharya Vihar, Jaydev Vihar, Rasulgarh, Bomikhal and GGP Colony experienced water-logging.
The MeT office said more rain and thundershower is expected to occur at most places over Odisha during the next 48 hours under the influence of a low pressure area formed over North Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood.

Similarly, isolated extremely heavy rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over north Odisha and heavy rainfall at one or two places over South Odisha would occur during next 24 hours, it said.
Under its impact, gusty surface wind with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph and gusting up to 60 kmph may prevail along and off Odisha Coast, it said, advising fishermen not to venture into the sea.