Bhubaneswar: A depression formed off coastal Odisha over the Bay of Bengal, coupled with incessant torrential rainfall and gusty surface wind, have caused havoc to people across the state.
The situation is grim particularly in 25 blocks of as many as eight districts of the state that witnessed very heavy rainfall.
According to the regional meteorological centre, the highest rainfall of 220mm was recorded at Balimundali in Mayurbhanj, followed by 210mm at Tikarpara in Angul, 200mm both at Jaipur in Balasore and at Tirtol in Jagatsinghpur, 190mm at Gop in Puri and 180mm at Tangi in Khurda.
Alarmed by the heavy rainfall, special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethy has readied relief materials for despatch to the affected blocks. Any place that receives rainfall of 114mm or above in 24 hours is eligible to get relief from the state's disaster relief fund.
The Met centre, which has flagged a local cyclone warning at Gopalpur and Paradip ports, has also stated that such heavy rainfall will continue for another 24 hours to 48 hours. Thereafter, the weather may improve steadily across the state from October 22.
"The depression over coastal Odisha moved northwards and lay centred about 35km north-northwest of Chandbali at 8.30am on Friday. The system is expected to move closer to the coast in the next 24 hours and is also likely to maintain its intensity," stated a bulletin issued by the Met about the depression at 12.30pm.
"The system is gaining power due to favourable weather condition in the seaside. It will maintain its intensity, but weaken into a well-marked low pressure in the subsequent 48 hours. However, the rainfall will continue since the system has not weakened yet," said Met director Sarat Chandra Sahu.
Sahu said rain or thundershower would occur at most places across the state in the next 24 hours. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in coastal districts and heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in interior Odisha. The sea will remain rough, so people are advised not to venture into the sea," said the weatherman. The rain has left several low-lying areas and parts of the NH-5 inundated.Coastal ingress
Tidal ingress
Tidal waves, gaining power from the depression over the Bay of Bengal, smashed several coastal pockets in the past 24 hours, inundating large areas in seaside localities of Odisha's Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts.
Tidal waves lashed Satabhaya, Bagapatia, Tantiapala and Talachua, Balarampur, Ghadiamala, Balarampur, Dangmal, Khamarasahi, Jamboo, Kharinasi, Badatubi, Sanatubi, Batighar and other coastal hamlets, leaving more than 2,000 hectares of crop fields inundated.
In Jagatsinghpur, tidal waves inundated crop fields in Nuagaon, Nolia Sahi, Polang and Gadakujand villages close to Jatadhari river.
With seawater making its way into human habitation, residents of vulnerable areas of Satabhaya have shifted to safer places.
