Heavy rainfall continued to lash different parts of the State on Monday, forcing the State Government to close schools in 12 districts for two days
Highest 530-mm rainfall was recorded at Astaranga in Puri district followed by Kakatpur (525 mm), Balikda (440 mm) in Jagatsinghpur district, Kantapara (381 mm) in Cuttack district and Niali (370).
At least four deaths were reported from different parts of the State till evening. Meanwhile, the Regional Office of the IMD said light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at most places over the districts in next 24 hours. Issuing a Red warning for Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Subaranpur, Dhenkanal, Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts, the IMD said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with extremely heavy falls at one or two places.
The IMD also issued an Orange alert for Balangir, Sundargarh, Boudh, Keonjhar, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Kendrapada, Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Cuttack districts where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur.
Yellow warning has been issued for Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj districts where heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places.
The weather office further said flash flood, waterlogging and inundation in low l-ying areas would occur in the areas for which Red and Orange warnings have been issued. Besides, there is a possibility of some damage to informal, kutcha road and wall collapse of vulnerable kutcha houses.
Waterlogging in underpass road and occasional reduction of visibility causing traffic congestion in urban areas would occur.There would be rise of water-level in river as well and damage to horticulture and standing crops in some areas due to inundation. The IMD suggested the Government to keep arrangement for drainage of excess water. Public are advised to avoid movement in affected areas.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off Odisha coast, north and west Central Bay of Bengal till Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the IMD said the State may experience more downpour ahead as another cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by September 17.However, there may not be intense spells of rainfall due to possible low pressure like the existing system over the sea triggered incessant rain causing flood-like situation across the State, the weather office.