Odisha Chief Secy says no cyclone threat to state, but very heavy rain likely

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Monday ruled out any cyclone threat to the state, saying that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall under the influence of a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal.

Garg reviewed the preparedness measures with collectors of 11 districts likely to be affected by the heavy rainfall associated with a possible deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

Speaking to media persons, she said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated the possibility of a deep depression, though not a cyclone, which could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several parts of the state from Tuesday, with rainfall likely to intensify over the following two days.

​"Today IMD has informed us that there is a likelihood of a deep depression forming, and not a cyclone, but a deep depression which would lead to heavy to very heavy rainfall," said Garg.

Following the IMD warning, the Chief Secretary held a virtual meeting with collectors of the identified districts and directed them to remain on high alert and stay at their headquarters.

The Chief Secretary also informed that the rainfall is likely to increase from Tuesday. She said that the collectors have been asked to keep flood and relief centres ready, ensure adequate stocks of essential materials, activate control rooms and deploy nodal officers.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have also been directed to remain prepared and identify vulnerable locations, including areas prone to waterlogging and bridges that could be submerged.

Garg informed that the state Health Department will coordinate with Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDMOs) to ensure preparedness, including availability of anti-snake venom and other essential medical supplies.

Collectors have also been asked to identify expectant mothers whose delivery dates fall during the period and make arrangements to shift them to safer locations in advance.

Meanwhile, the IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said on Monday that the system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression on Tuesday and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast.

She said the system is expected to reach near the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast around the morning of September 23.

Mohanty said the system’s impact is expected to be highest on September 23 and 24, after which there will be a substantial reduction in rainfall activity.

The IMD has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across many districts; however, several southern Odisha districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal, have received warnings for extremely heavy rainfall over the next couple of days.

Fishermen have also been advised to return to the coast by the evening of September 21 and refrain from venturing into the sea from September 22 to 24.

Source: IANS