Over 67,000 still affected by Odisha floods as IMD forecasts fresh heavy rain till Sept 2

More than 67,000 people across three districts in Odisha continue to be affected by the second wave of floods this monsoon season, as the meteorological department on Friday forecast heavy rainfall in the state's north and coastal regions through September 2, raising concerns of the situation worsening further.

Odisha has already experienced two rounds of flooding this monsoon due to heavy rain. The second spell of flooding, which began on August 13, has so far affected 13,50,306 people across 1,895 villages.

That said, conditions have improved in many areas, with water levels in all major rivers now receding. "The water level in almost all the rivers was flowing much below the danger mark," a senior officer said.

According to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts still need to be closely monitored, with 67,961 people across 181 villages and 11 urban pockets still submerged. 

While roads leading to most villages have been cleared, waterlogging continues to be reported in a few isolated pockets, an official said, adding that the government is currently running 67 free kitchens for people still housed at flood relief centres.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to the flood-affected districts in the state's north and coastal regions.

"A fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around Saturday and trigger heavy to very heavy rain in Odisha over the next week," said Manorama Mohanty, director of the meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar.

The IMD has also issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore districts, valid till 8.30 am on Saturday.

Odisha recorded light to moderate rainfall in some areas, while Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Koraput and Keonjhar districts received heavy rainfall.

For August 30 and 31, the IMD has issued a red alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few locations, along with the possibility of extremely heavy rain in one or two places in Mayurbhanj district.

Squally weather, with wind speeds occasionally gusting up to 60 kmph, is expected along the Odisha coast till August 31, and fisherfolk have been advised against venturing into the sea during this period.  (with inputs from PTI)