Heavy rainfall warnings prompted the closure of schools in three districts of Odisha on Monday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert due to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. The affected districts are Mayurbhanj,Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara, where authorities took precautionary measures amid fears of flash floods.
The IMD reported that the deep depression was located over the northwest Bay of Bengal, approximately 120 km east-southeast of Balasore, at 5:30 AM on Monday. This system,which had been moving northward at a slow pace of 3 km/h, is expected to shift north-northwest and cross the coast between Balasore and Canning by Monday afternoon.
Manorama Mohanty, IMD regional director,indicated that the weather system could lead to widespread heavy rainfall,thunderstorms, and squally conditions across Odisha until July 29. In response, Mayurbhanj's district education officer,Purna Chandra Sethi, ordered the closure of all educational institutions up to Class 12, while teachers and non-teaching staff were instructed to remain on duty to assist with any emergencies.
Similarly, the Jagatsinghpur district administration suspended classes across all educational levels, including government,government-aided,and private schools,as well as Anganwadi centers. The Kendrapara district also announced one-day school closure as a precaution against the anticipated intense rainfall.
The IMD issued orange warning for several other districts, including Balasore,Bhadrak, and Cuttack, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall. In light of these warnings,the special relief commissioner directed collectors in 27 of the 30 districts to remain vigilant,anticipating the possibility of flash floods due to continuous rainfall.
July has been exceptionally wet for Odisha,with the state recording 467.9 mm of rainfall this month,which is about 67% above the normal level. This surge marks the highest positive departure among all Indian states. current weather system is third low-pressure area affecting Odisha in July,following systems that developed on July 3 and July 14,which contributed to significant rainfall and alleviated much of state's monsoon deficit.
low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal are crucial for Odisha's monsoon rainfall, often intensifying into stronger systems that produce heavy precipitation. He noted that a typical monsoon season sees around 10 to 13 low-pressure systems,which enhance the monsoon flow and are responsible for widespread rainfall across the region.
As situation develops, local authorities are on high alert,prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise from the severe weather conditions . The ongoing rainfall patterns highlight the challenges Odisha faces during the monsoon season, particularly in managing risks associated with flooding and other climate-related events.
