Rain subsides in Odisha, water recedes from low-lying areas

With the weakening of low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, rainfall subsided in Odisha today, bringing relief to people who have been affected by the deluge over the past few days.

The meteorological department has ruled out downpour in the state in the next four days.

"There is no likelihood of heavy rain in Odisha at least for the next four days as the low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has weakened," H R Biswas, the director of meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, told PTI.

Biswas, however, clarified that sporadic rainfall and light showers may continue in some areas, adding that a change in weather condition is likely after August 25.

"After August 25, one or two places in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara districts may receive intermittent rainfall," he added.

The situation in rain-ravaged southern districts of Odisha, particularly Malkangiri, improved considerably today with water receding from the low-lying areas, officials said.

Normalcy has returned to Mathili, Khairput, Padia and Motu areas of Malkangiri district and some other regions in neighbouring Koraput and Rayagada, which have been marooned by the heavy rain since August 18, they stated.

Malkangiri Collector Manish Agarwal said the road connectivity between Malkangiri and Jeypore, disrupted due to submergence of Pangam river bridge on National Highway-326, has been restored.

Parts of the bridge that have been damaged by the deluge are currently being repaired by officials of National Highways Authority of India, he added.