Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has instructed state authorities and citizens to maintain high vigilance for the next 24 hours following a depression over the Bay of Bengal moving across Baragada toward neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The official forecast indicates heavy rainfall across several western Odisha districts, including Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Boudh, and Sundaragada. Authorities expect weather conditions to gradually normalise by Saturday.
Rivers Breach Danger Levels
Continuous rainfall has led to swelling water levels in key rivers. The Baitarani River is currently flowing above the danger mark at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district, while the Jalaka River has surpassed its critical limit at Mathani.
However, officials project that as rainfall intensity eases throughout the day, water levels in these rivers should begin receding by Friday night.
Administration Steps Up Preparedness
The state and district administrations have put localised emergency protocols into action:
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Evacuation Directives: Residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas are advised to move to safer, higher ground immediately.
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District Focus: Extra precautions are concentrated across western Odisha, where the impacts of the depression remain strongest over the next 24 hours.
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Public Advice: The public is encouraged to stay indoors where possible and follow official guidelines until the system completely passes.
