Heavy Rainfall Hits Odisha due to Depression Over Bay of Bengal; Rescue Operations Underway

Bhubaneswar: The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, conducted a review on Tuesday of the ongoing response measures taken due to the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. The meeting, held in the presence of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional DG Sanjay Kumar, and other senior officials, addressed the state’s preparedness in dealing with the heavy downpour.

According to the minister, all 30 districts of Odisha experienced heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, with Malkangiri district recording the maximum rainfall. Koraput was also significantly affected by the heavy downpour, which caused flooding in several areas.

To mitigate the impact of the rainfall, District Magistrates have been directed to remain on high alert. Six ODRF teams and five Fire Services teams have been deployed in Malkangiri district to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Roads in the district were impacted by floodwaters, but no casualties were reported. Over 80 rescue boats have been deployed, and helicopters have been kept on standby for emergency evacuation operations.

In response to the situation, more than 1,000 people were evacuated from Malkangiri and relocated to relief shelters, where they will remain until the water levels recede. The state government, in coordination with district and block administrations, is closely monitoring the situation, with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik overseeing the efforts. The minister confirmed that the situation is currently under control, though one person was injured in a landslide incident.

Meanwhile, the depression over interior Odisha moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 22 kmph, as of Tuesday morning. It was centered approximately 90 km west-southwest of Jharsuguda and 70 km west-northwest of Sambalpur. The system is expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over Chhattisgarh and adjoining east Madhya Pradesh by Tuesday evening.