IMD forecast heavy rain in Puri, several parts of Odisha due to formation of low pressure

Bhubaneswar, Jul 15 (PTI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday forecast heavy rain in several parts of Odisha, including Puri town, as a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal. Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation, a low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal off north Odisha-West Bengal coasts on Wednesday around 5.30 am, the IMD said in a bulletin. The weather system is expected to move across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next two days, it said. Heavy rains lashed several districts of Odisha, including the pilgrim town Puri, since Tuesday evening. Puri town and other parts of the coastal district received heavy downpour from Tuesday evening to early Wednesday morning. Fire service personnel were engaged to drain rainwater from the city, including the Grand Road, the main road in front of Lord Jagannath temple where the chariots will be pulled on Rath Yatra (Thursday), officials said. "We have deployed pumps at the spots where waterlogging may arise during heavy rainfall. The pumps were used during heavy rain last evening to drain out the water," said a fire service official. According to the IMD, maximum rainfall of 143.8 mm was recorded at Puri town during 24 hours (till 8.30 am) on Wednesday. The world-famous Rath Yatra is scheduled to be held on Thursday in Puri. Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad are expected to witness the festival. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall and issued a "red warning" (take action) for Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts. In view of the weather forecast, the Puri district administrations have closed down all schools, including private ones, on Wednesday. In a special message (valid from 10 am to 4 pm) for Puri town, the IMD's Bhubaneswar centre advised pilgrims to remain alert during lightning and thunderstorm activity. Elderly devotees, children, and people with medical conditions were advised to avoid prolonged exposure to rain and crowded areas. In case of heavy rainfall or lightning, the IMD advised the devotees to take shelter under a permanent structure, not under trees, electric poles or temporary structures. As sea condition would be rough to very rough, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off Odisha coasts till July 17. Derabis in Kendrapara district recorded a rainfall of 135 mm and Patamundai in the same district 129 mm. Twenty-one other places in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jajpur recorded heavy rainfall of 65 mm to 107 mm, the bulletin said. The IMD has also issued an "orange warning" (be prepared to take action) for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Khurdha, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Ganjam and Kandhamal districts for Wednesday. Expecting heavy rain, the IMD also issued a "yellow warning" for Balasore, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Gajapati districts for the day. PTI BBM BBM RG