A fresh weather threat is looming over the eastern coast as a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression and subsequently a cyclonic storm.
The system is moving west-northwestward toward the west-central Bay of Bengal, with the Andhra Pradesh coast likely to be in its vicinity by Monday evening. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over Odisha on Tuesday and Wednesday, raising concerns about the flood-ravaged southern districts.
Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continue in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, where Cyclone Arnab has left thousands of people affected, villages inundated and road connectivity severely disrupted.
The fresh weather system has added to the challenges facing Odisha, particularly its southern districts, which are yet to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab.
According to the latest IMD forecast, the depression is likely to intensify further and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Odisha on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In Ganjam, dozens of villages remain surrounded by floodwaters, while the Rushikulya river continues to remain above the danger mark at some locations. In Gajapati, the Vansadhara and Mahendratanaya rivers have inundated low-lying areas, while landslides have disrupted road connectivity in Kandhamal.
Four Indian Navy and Coast Guard helicopters are being deployed for rescue operations and airdropping food packets in inaccessible areas. The fresh rainfall threat has raised concerns over renewed flooding, further landslides and prolonged isolation of vulnerable communities. So far four people have died in rain-related incidents following Cyclone Arnab.