Even as the heavy devastation left behind by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ continues to loom large, the threat of a fresh crisis is knocking on the doors of southern Odisha.
With parts of Ganjam and Gajapati districts still battling severe post-cyclone flood conditions, the Regional Meteorological Centre has issued a fresh, urgent warning of heavy rainfall driven by a newly formed weather system in the Bay of Bengal.
According to meteorological experts, including senior scientist Dr Surendranath Pashupalak, a low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea region. The system is projected to intensify rapidly into a depression and move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Under its direct influence, districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, and Puri are expected to experience heavy to very heavy downpours, while other parts of southern Odisha remain on high alert.
The timing of this weather system has heightened anxieties. Ganjam and Gajapati are currently reeling from severe flooding, with Patrapur recording a staggering 546 millimetres of rainfall during the previous spell. The Rushikulya River continues to flow dangerously above the danger mark, leaving numerous villages submerged. Meteorological Director Manorama Mohanty noted that another round of heavy rainfall could severely worsen the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Local administration has stepped up precautionary measures. Relief operations are proceeding on a war footing, featuring airdropped food packets and cooked meals distributed via boats in marooned zones. Authorities have strongly urged residents in low-lying and riverbank areas to stay away from water bodies and strictly follow official advisories.
With the next 24 to 48 hours remaining critically important, experts and disaster management teams are keeping a close, constant watch on the intensity and trajectory of the brewing depression. For the resilient people of southern Odisha struggling to recover from consecutive natural calamities, vigilance and adherence to government directives remain paramount.
