Bhubaneswar: With a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moving towards the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast, the Odisha government has stepped up emergency preparedness across southern and adjoining districts, deploying 33 ODRAF teams and keeping rescue and relief machinery on standby.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the preparedness on Wednesday at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), taking stock of the situation with Collectors of 10 districts—Koraput, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Khordha, Rayagada, Nayagarh, Kalahandi and Kandhamal. He directed officials to prioritise the safety of people and property through timely warnings, preparedness and prompt response.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal was moving westwards and was expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam by Wednesday night, retaining its intensity as a deep depression. The latest IMD bulletin also places the system close to Kalingapatnam and forecasts its west-northwestward movement towards the coast.
The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha. A Red Warning has been issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri from 8.30 am on September 23 to 8.30 am on September 24. Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam are under an Orange Warning for the same period.
The impact of the system was already evident in several parts of the state. Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 37.9 mm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday. Koraput recorded 93.3 mm, followed by Gajapati at 79.2 mm, Balasore at 61.8 mm, Nabarangpur at 59.6 mm and Ganjam at 55.5 mm. IMD has recorded the rainfall for the period from 8.30 am on September 22 to 8.30 am on September 23.
Similiguda in Koraput recorded the highest rainfall at 230.2 mm. Jeypore in Koraput received 161.6 mm, Gunupur in Rayagada 160 mm, Mohana in Gajapati 145 mm, Borigumma in Koraput 138.2 mm and Tentulikhunti in Nabarangpur 138 mm.
Southern Odisha districts have been given the highest priority for preparedness, with Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi under close watch. Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh have also been asked to maintain a high level of preparedness.
A total of 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across the affected and vulnerable districts. Ganjam and Koraput have six teams each, while Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada have three teams each. Two teams have been deployed in Kalahandi and one in Balangir. Nine additional ODRAF teams stationed at Chhatrapur in Ganjam have been kept in reserve.
Authorities are also preparing for strong winds and rough seas. Squally winds of 55–65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, are expected over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal on September 23 and 24. With rough to very rough sea conditions forecast along the Odisha coast, Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all ports. Fishing has been prohibited in the central and north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh until September 24. The district administrations have been asked to strictly enforce the restriction.
The administration has warned of possible waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas, rising water levels in rivers and drainage channels, flash floods in vulnerable hilly areas and landslides in southern Odisha. Damage to thatched and kutcha houses, standing crops and horticultural crops is also possible, while uprooted trees could disrupt power and telecommunication services.
District- and block-level Emergency Operation Centres have been directed to function round the clock. Vulnerable habitations are being identified, while shelters are being kept ready with dry food, baby food, drinking water and other essential supplies. ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams, along with rescue boats, life jackets and power boats, have been kept ready for emergency operations.
The Water Resources Department is monitoring river and reservoir levels and vulnerable embankments, while arrangements are being made for controlled release of water wherever required. In urban areas, drainage systems are being monitored, dewatering pumps positioned at vulnerable underpasses and traffic diversions planned wherever necessary.
The Health and Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Energy, Works, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments have also been directed to remain prepared.
Real-time monitoring is continuing at the state and district levels, with authorities keeping watch on rainfall, waterlogging, shelter arrangements, electricity and drinking water supply, rescue-team deployment and reservoir levels.
The review meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Additional Chief Secretary Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Water Resources Principal Secretary Shubha Sarma, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IMD Regional Director Dr Manorama Mohanty, IG Fire Services Uma Shankar Das, Water Resources Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout and other senior officials. Collectors and district officials of the concerned districts joined the meeting virtually.
