Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): Odisha has stepped up disaster preparedness as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moves closer to the coast, with 33 ODRAF teams deployed across vulnerable districts and round-the-clock emergency operations activated in anticipation of heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible flooding.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the state’s preparedness at a high-level meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) on Wednesday. Collectors of 10 districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada, participated in the review.
System Likely To Cross Coast Tonight
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Deep Depression moved westwards at around 12 kmph during the six hours preceding 5.30 am on Wednesday.
At that time, the system was located near 18.0°N and 84.7°E, around 70 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 150 km south of Gopalpur, 230 km south-southwest of Puri and 150 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam, by Wednesday night while retaining its intensity as a Deep Depression.
The weather system is likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha.
Red Warning For Four Districts
The IMD has issued a Red Warning for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri from 8.30 am on September 23 to 8.30 am on September 24.
An Orange Warning is in force for Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam during the same period.
Odisha recorded an average 24-hour rainfall of 37.9 mm up to 8.30 am on Wednesday. Koraput received the highest district average at 93.3 mm, followed by Gajapati at 79.2 mm, Balasore at 61.8 mm, Nabarangpur at 59.6 mm and Ganjam at 55.5 mm.
Similiguda in Koraput recorded the highest rainfall at 230.2 mm. Jeypore received 161.6 mm, Gunupur 160 mm, Mohana 145 mm, Borigumma 138.2 mm and Tentulikhunti 138 mm.
33 ODRAF Teams Deployed
The state has deployed 33 ODRAF teams as part of its emergency response plan.
Ganjam and Koraput have received six teams each, while Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada have three teams each. Two teams have been deployed in Kalahandi and one in Balangir.
Another nine ODRAF teams based at Chhatrapur in Ganjam have been kept in reserve for emergency deployment.
NDRF and Fire Services personnel have also been positioned in vulnerable areas. Rescue boats, power boats and life jackets have been kept ready for possible evacuation and rescue operations.
Focus On Flood, Landslide Risks
Authorities have identified Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi as the highest-priority districts. Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh are also maintaining heightened preparedness.
District- and block-level Emergency Operation Centres have been instructed to function round the clock. Vulnerable habitations are being identified, while shelters are being prepared and essential supplies, including drinking water, dry food and baby food, are being stocked.
Heavy rain could trigger waterlogging in low-lying and urban areas, rising water levels in rivers and streams, flash floods in hilly pockets and landslides or mudslides in southern Odisha.
Officials have also been asked to prepare for possible damage to thatched and kutcha houses, standing crops and horticultural crops, besides disruptions to power and telecommunications caused by falling or uprooted trees.
Ports On Caution, Fishing Suspended
Squally winds of 55-65 kmph, with gusts up to 75 kmph, are expected over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal on September 23 and 24.
With rough to very rough sea conditions forecast along the Odisha coast, Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all ports.
Fishing has been prohibited in the central and north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh until September 24. District administrations have been directed to ensure compliance.
The Water Resources Department is monitoring river and reservoir levels, inspecting vulnerable embankments and making arrangements for controlled water releases where required. Urban authorities have been asked to monitor drainage systems, deploy dewatering pumps at vulnerable underpasses and implement traffic diversions if necessary.
The Health, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Energy, Works, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments have also been directed to maintain preparedness.
The state and district administrations are conducting real-time monitoring of rainfall, water levels, shelter arrangements, essential services and rescue deployments as the Deep Depression approaches the coast.
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