Odisha prepared to tackle flood-like situation

Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government on Tuesday said it is well prepared to face a possible flood-like situation in the state following heavy downpour for the last two days.

"We are monitoring the situation and are well prepared to meet a flood-like situation. The district collectors have been asked to remain alert," said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty.

An official in the Disaster Management department said all major rivers were flowing below the danger level and there was no flood-like situation in the state.

The average rainfall in the state recorded on Tuesday since Monday was 28.9 mm, he added. Two districts which received an average rainfall of more than 50 mm were Jharsuguda (100.1 mm) and Jajpur (74.8 mm).

Other districts which received substantial rainfall are Cuttack, Deogarh, Bhadrak, Puri, Dhenkanal, Malkangiri and Sambalpur.

With this, the average rainfall for July (up to July 17) accounts for a surplus of 18.1 per cent. Similarly, the average rainfall in the state from June 1 to July 17 stands at 5.4 per cent, of the long-term average rainfall, the official said.

Four districts have received surplus rainfall of more than 19 per cent whereas 17 more districts have received normal rainfall.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall at a few places in some districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur.