In Odisha, with major rivers in the north parts of the state in spate, the Odisha Government has started evacuating people from low-lying areas and launched rescue and relief operations in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
A red alert has also been sounded for both districts as water levels in rivers like Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Jalaka, and Sono continue to rise. Subarnarekha river is flowing well above the danger mark as a result of which Balasore, Balipal, Bhogarai, Jaleswar and Basta blocks are likely to be affected.
Temporary shelters have been set up with arrangements for food, clean drinking water, medical assistance, and other basic amenities for the flood-affected people. Rescue and relief teams, including Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services, have been put on standby. Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, has said the state government is fully prepared and actively working to manage the flood situation.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department has said the low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts lay over coastal Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood.
It is likely to move slowly west-north-westwards across North Odisha during next two days. Under its influence, several parts of Odisha are likely to experience thunderstorms as well as heavy to very heavy rainfall in coming days. The IMD has also issued orange and yellow warnings for several districts of Odisha.