Schools in four districts of Odisha remained closed on Monday as heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal disrupted normal life, briefly affecting train services and prompting the state government to put its field machinery on high alert.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state and has issued a red alert for three districts and warned of continued rainfall over the next 24 hours, hence precautionary closures.
Schools closed due to intensifying rain
The authorities ordered schools to remain closed in Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara districts after the IMD issued a warning for heavy rainfall.The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts as heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected. Nineteen districts remain on orange alert and eight districts are on yellow alert.The warnings came as low pressure over the northwestern Bay of Bengal moved towards the Odisha coast.
Government says there is no need to panic
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness as rainfall continued in several districts.“We expect normal to heavy or very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours starting tonight. The intensity of the rainfall may weaken thereafter. We are prepared to deal with this situation,” Pujari was reported to have said. PTI.The minister said water levels in all major rivers, including the Mahanadi river, remained below the danger line and there was no immediate threat of flooding in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore districts.“Officials at the site have been put on high alert and directed to deploy water pumps to drain water from low-lying areas to prevent waterlogging,” he said.Currently, the government is focused on preventing urban flooding and responding quickly when flooding occurs in vulnerable areas.While officials said there is no immediate threat of flooding, the next 24 hours will determine how severe the impact will be in red and orange alert areas.