The Regional Office of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) here on Tuesday forecasted heavy rainfall in most places of the State during the next 12 hours under the impact of cyclone Phethai which made landfall in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon.
Though the cyclonic system has weakened, many districts in the southern region of Odisha continued experiencing heavy rainfall under its impact.
As per the latest information, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati and Rayagada districts.
Many places in Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Gajapati districts are expected to receive more rains in the next 12 hours. Besides, heavy rains are likely at isolated places of Ganjam, Puri, Nuapada, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundergarh and Keonjhar districts, IMD said.
Squally winds with speed reaching 30-40 kmph and gusting up to 50 kmph are likely along and off south Odisha coast during next 12 hours, the IMD said.
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi informed that the cyclonic storm has turned into a well-marked low pressure and is likely to form into a low-pressure system within next 12 hours.
While rains continued to lash several districts of Odisha, Balangir district recorded the highest rainfall of 92.4mm, Jharsuguda has recorded 75.8 mm rain and Sambalpur has received 75.3 mm rain under the impact of the cyclone, he said.
On the other hand, farmers in the State are in distress due to the rains triggered under the impact of the cyclone. Standing paddy and cotton crops along with harvested paddy stocks stored on open fields have suffered the most damage due to the rains continuing in several districts of western and southern Odisha.
The SRC said adequate compensation and financial assistance would be disbursed from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the farmers based on the report submitted by district authorities after assessment of damage.