Expressbuzz, July 14, 2009
BHUBANESWAR: The clouds have struck with a vengeance. The State, which was reeling under heatwave till June 23, now faces a serious flood situation triggered by a depression. Many rivers have started swelling and more rains are in the offing due to the low pressure over Bay of Bengal.
This prompted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday to take stock of preparedness in case the situation worsened.
The rise in the water level of major rivers and their tributaries in Kendrapara district has resulted in inundation in many areas.
Flash floods in Baitarini river and its tributary Kharosotra have snapped communication links at several places. The situation is equally grim in 70 riverside villages of Aul and Rajkanika blocks.
The low pressure is likely to concentrate into a depression in the next 24 hours, thus inducing widespread rains over the State during the next 48 hours, the Met department said.
The State has been experiencing intermittent rains in the last few days. Extremely heavy rainfall of more than 25 cm has been forecast. Squally conditions with wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph are likely to prevail along and off the coast. Sea condition would be rough. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
At a high level meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the situation and directed the authorities to be prepared for any eventuality.
Naveen said adequate food stocks, including rice and kerosene, should be stored in floodprone panchayats. Besides, there should be sufficient medicines, including anti-venom, in primary health centres (PHCs). Boats should also be kept ready by the district authorities in flood-prone areas and embankments should be re-checked, he said.
Between 8.30 am on July 12 and 8.30 am today, Bhubaneswar received 85 mm rainfall and from then on till 5.30 pm, it received 40.2 mm. Balangir received the highest rainfall of 123.2 mm in the 24- hour period and another 27.4 mm by evening. Bhawanipatna received 83 mm rains this evening.
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