Bhubaneswar, 25 September (H.S.): The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Thursday held a video conference with Collectors of 18 districts to review preparedness measures in view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of extremely heavy rainfall in Koraput, Malkangiri, and other southern districts of Odisha.

Collectors from Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Nuapada joined the meeting, which was also attended by the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, the Director of IMD, the Executive Director of OSDMA, and senior officials from the SRC’s office.

The SRC instructed district Collectors—particularly those of Koraput and Malkangiri—to remain in the field and stay vigilant. He emphasized the need for Fire Services and ODRAF teams to be on standby, while drainage engineers and officials were directed to be equipped with manpower and machinery to handle any possible flood situation.

Reassuring the public, the administration stated that comprehensive preparedness measures are in place. The State Government is closely monitoring developments and has urged citizens not to panic or fall prey to rumors.

According to IMD, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north and central Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours. It may intensify into a depression by the evening of September 26 and is expected to cross the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of September 27. Under its influence, extremely heavy rainfall is likely in Koraput and Malkangiri, while other southern districts are also expected to receive heavy showers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda