Bhubaneswar: Seventeen people were killed in lightning in various parts of the state on Friday with Met department predicting heavy rainfall in several areas of Odisha over the next two days following formation of a well-marked low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Bengal and Odisha coast.

Four lightning deaths were reported from Mayurbhanj, while the count in Balasore and Bargarh are 7 and 2, respectively. One person died in each of Khurda, Kendrapara, Sonepur and Nuapada . The state on Friday also issued an alert about a possible flood in various parts of the state.

The meteorological department said the state was expected to receive heavy rainfall in the next two days. Even on Friday there was heavy rainfall in many areas of the state, including in Puri. Fishermen have been told not to venture into the deep sea during the next 72 hours.

"The system over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying. It will concentrate into a depression around Sunday and further into a deep depression. Under the influence of this system, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to lash almost all districts in the coming week," said a meteorological scientist.

The state government has alerted the district administration about a possible flood and asked them to stay watchful. The officers have been asked not to leave the headquarters.

Heavy rain on Friday lashed Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal districts. Several rivers in the southern districts such as Banshadhara, Hati, Mahendra Tanaya and Tel are rising and flowing close to the danger level.

Several areas of Malkangiri and Jeypore have been submerged following the rain. The road connecting the major commercial centre of Koraput and Jeypore was cut off due to flash floods. However, there is no immediate threat of any flood in the Mahanadi basin.

The pilgrim town of Puri was also badly hit due to incessant rains. The parking area of the three chariots was submerged in water. Rainwater flooded the premises of the Gundhicha temple where Lord Jagannath and his siblings are residing now.

Devotees had to wade through water to reach the aaadpa mandap inside the temple to have a darshan of the deities. The deities will return to the main shrine on Sunday. Heavy rainfall is expected in Puri on Sunday as well.

"Hope the rain does spoil the festive spirit. I was planning a trip to Puri to witness the bahuda this time, but it seems that I have to cancel my plan now," said Bhubaneswar resident Krushna Rana.

Special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said: "We are expecting heavy rainfall in the next two days. We have alerted the district administrations and have directed emergency operation centres to work round the clock."

The Odisha government is apprehending flash floods in various parts of the state as gates of Hirakud and other reservoirs have been opened. It also directed the district administrations to be prepared to meet any possible flood or waterlogging situations.

Heavy rainfall is expected to lash Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Sonepur and Ganjam distrcits on Saturday and Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts on Sunday.

Sethi said: "We have directed the officials to ensure coordination in all the control rooms of Central Water Commission, Water Resources Department and the special relief commission. We are working round the clock to deal with any emergency."

Bhubaneswar mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they had put the officials and equipment on standby to tackle waterlogging. "We have already opened a help line number. People can call there if they face any problems because of the rain," said Jena.

"We have had enough of rain and seen the so-called preparedness of the authorities. We have no faith in the administration anymore and are now preparing to tackle the situation by ourselves. We have already put our furniture and other valuables on top to save these from accumulated water," said Namita Ojha, a resident of Surya Nagar.