Odisha Faces Severe Rainfall: What You Need to Know About the Impact
Heavy Rainfall Hits Odisha
Bhubaneswar: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that four locations in Odisha experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in the past 24 hours due to a deep depression.
Thuumual Rampur in Kalahandi district recorded the highest rainfall at 352 mm, while R Udaygiri and Gumma in Gajapati district received 291 mm and 211 mm, respectively. Junagarh in Kalahandi also saw significant rainfall of 210 mm by 8:30 AM on Friday.
In addition, ten areas in the state experienced very heavy rainfall ranging from 12 cm to 20 cm, and 42 locations reported heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm during the same timeframe.
The IMD has issued a forecast for continued rainfall across the state, placing Sundergarh district under an 'Orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h on Friday.
According to the latest bulletin, the deep depression over Odisha has shifted north-northwest at a speed of 10 km/h and is expected to weaken into a well-marked low pressure within the next 12 hours.
Tragically, one individual has lost their life, two are reported missing, and three others sustained injuries due to a wall collapse caused by the relentless rains.
Gajapati district has been particularly hard-hit, with other southern districts like Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri experiencing road washouts, rainwater flooding over bridges, fallen trees, and house collapses, disrupting daily life.
"Over two dozen villages have been isolated due to landslides, fallen trees, and damaged bridges in Gajapati and Ganjam districts," stated a senior official from the Revenue department, noting that the intensity of rainfall has diminished since 9 AM on Friday.
Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Odisha's Commerce and Transport minister, is actively monitoring the situation in Gajapati district as per the directives of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Additionally, landslides and water accumulation on railway tracks have disrupted train services in southern Odisha.