Odisha Steps Up Disaster Preparedness as Low-Pressure System Likely Over Andaman Sea

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has stepped up its disaster preparedness as a weather system over the region is likely to develop into a low-pressure area over the north Andaman Sea by September 19, with the system expected to move towards the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast over the following three to four days.

The developing weather system was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari at the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) conference hall in Rajiv Bhawan on Friday. District Collectors have been asked to remain alert as the state prepares for the possibility of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and prolonged wet weather.

According to the weather assessment discussed at the meeting, an upper-air cyclonic circulation was prevailing over northern Thailand at 8.30 am on September 18 and extended up to 9.4 km above mean sea level. It is expected to move towards the north Andaman Sea by Friday evening, where a low-pressure area is likely to form by Saturday evening.

The system is then likely to intensify gradually and move west-northwestwards towards the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast. Officials, however, said its eventual intensity and precise track would become clearer over the next two days.

Pujari said the state machinery was prepared to deal with continuous rain and other weather-related situations and asked district administrations to maintain close watch on local conditions. He also urged people not to rely on unverified information circulating about the weather system.

Odisha has already experienced a prolonged rainy spell, with around 11 deep depressions and four low-pressure systems affecting the state over the past two months, according to the minister.

The government also reviewed the status of compensation for damage caused by floods and heavy rainfall earlier this year. Damage assessment has been completed and disbursement of compensation is in its final phase, with around Rs 226 crore released so far for damaged houses, crop losses, destruction of vegetables and loss of clothing and household articles.

The remaining compensation is expected to be distributed shortly. Steps are also being taken to restore agricultural land affected by sand deposition following flooding.

The meeting further discussed a proposal to collaborate with IIT Roorkee for surveys and management measures to address urban flooding caused by prolonged rainfall. The initiative is aimed at strengthening scientific assessment and management of flood situations in urban areas.

Special Relief Commissioner and OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and senior officials of the department attended the meeting.

Pujari appealed to the public to follow weather updates issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and other authorised government sources and ignore false or unverified reports.