The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted heavy rains across several parts of Odisha, particularly the temple town of Puri, following the development of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
The IMD noted in its weather bulletin that under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation, the low-pressure area formed around 5:30 AM on Wednesday off the coasts of northern Odisha and West Bengal.
According to meteorological department, the weather system is expected to move across northern parts of Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal over the next 48 hours.
Torrential downpours have been battering several districts throughout Odisha, including the coastal pilgrimage hub of Puri, since Tuesday evening.
Puri and adjacent coastal district experienced continuous, heavy downpour from Tuesday evening through early Wednesday morning.
In response, fire department emergency units were mobilized to pump out standing water from municipal streets, including the critical Grand Road stretch directly in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple, where the Rath Yatra chariot procession is slated to take place on Thursday, officials said.
“We have deployed pumps at the spots where waterlogging may arise during heavy rainfall. The pumps were used during heavy rain last evening to drain out the water,” said a fire service official.
According to weather office, Puri registered a maximum 143.8 mm of rain during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, marking the highest volume in the state.
The world-famous Rath Yatra is scheduled to be held on Thursday in Puri. Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad are expected to witness the festival.
In the latest weather forecast, IMD has predicted heavy rainfall and issued a “red warning” (take action) for Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts.
In view of the weather forecast, the Puri district administration ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including private schools, on Wednesday.
In a special weather advisory active from 10 AM to 4 PM for Puri town, the IMD’s regional centre in Bhubaneswar warned pilgrims to remain alert during lightning and thunderstorm conditions.
Furthermore, medical experts and authorities have advised elderly devotees, young children, and those with health conditions to avoid staying out in the rain or entering extremely crowded areas for prolonged periods.
In case of heavy rainfall or lightning, the IMD advised the devotees to take shelter under a permanent structure, not under trees, electric poles or temporary structures.
Furthermore, with the sea conditions expected to remain rough to very rough, the weather office has advised fishermen from sailing into the sea along and off the Odisha coasts until July 17.
Elsewhere in the state, Derabis and Patamundai in Kendrapara district logged substantial rainfall measurements of 135 mm and 129 mm, respectively.
Twenty-one other places in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jajpur recorded heavy rainfall of 65 mm to 107 mm, the bulletin said.
Additionally, the IMD issued an “orange warning” (be prepared to tak action) for Wednesday across Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Khurdha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Ganjam, and Kandhamal districts.
Similarly, a “yellow warning” signalling caution has been issued for several other districts for the day, including Balasore, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati.
