Heavy rains have forced several districts of Odisha to close schools and colleges as the state remains on alert for the third consecutive day of monsoon rains. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of more rain till July 7, district administrations have started taking precautionary measures as waterlogging and damage to infrastructure are being reported from different areas.According to the state revenue department, educational institutions remained closed in Cuttack, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Bargarh districts on Monday.
Orange alert for seven districts
The IMD has issued an orange warning, asking people to be prepared for heavy to very heavy rains in Bargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada and Bolangir districts.A yellow warning has also been issued for heavy rains in Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh.Director of the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty said that rainfall activity has continued due to an active monsoon system driven by a depression over the Bay of Bengal, he reported. PTI.
More rain likely until July 7
The weather department said 12 places in the state recorded more than 200 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday. Sonepur received the highest rainfall with 328.4 mm, followed by Ullunda in Sonepur district with 290 mm.The revenue department has received reports of waterlogging, damaged roads and bridges and uprooted trees from several districts.The IMD said Odisha is likely to receive light to moderate rain at most places, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places on July 6 and 7, and heavy rain at isolated places on July 8.The department has also advised fishermen not to venture into the northwest Bay of Bengal and along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal till July 7, while warning that gusty winds could reach 60 kmph. PTI.