Visuals of flood from Poteru Village in Korukonda Tehsil of Malkangiri district, following heavy rainfall caused due to cyclonic storm.
Cyclonic storm DAYE which made its landfall in Odisha on Friday triggering heavy showers has weakened into a deep depression and lay over south interior Odisha and neighbourhood. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places over the state.
DAYE moved west-northwestward from northwest Bay of Bengal with a speed of 23 kilometre/hour and rossed south Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coast close to Gopalpur in the early hours of Friday, Director, Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas said.
The cyclonic system then lay centred over south Odisha, about 40 km west-northwest of Gopalpur and about 150 km east-southeast of Bhawanipatna, he added.
Biswas said it would continue to move west-northwestward and weaken gradually into a deep depression.
Tribal-dominated district of Malkangiri has been the worst affected.
Several rivers in the Malkangiri district including Pangam, Saptadhara, Korukonda were flowing above danger-level while road communication between Malkangiri and Chhattisgarh has been disrupted, an official said.
With water crossing danger level in Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri district, four gates of the reservoir have been opened, said the official.
As the cyclonic storm made a landfall, it brought heavy to very heavy rainfall in some places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts of the state, officials said.
Under its impact, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to lash several places in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts till Saturday, the MeT centre said.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely to occur at some places in Balangir, Bararh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts till the morning of Saturday, it said.
The MeT centre also warned of gale wind with speed reaching 60-70 kmph and gusting up to 80 kmph along and off south Odisha coast for a few hours. It has also advised fishermen to not venture into sea along and off Odisha coast during the next 24 hours till Saturday.
The impact of the cyclonic storm was felt more in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts.
The two shutters of the Upper Kolab dam in Koraput district have been opened following a rise in water level.
Danger signs with signal number 3, which warns of surface winds clocking 40-50 kmph, have been hoisted at all ports of Odisha, officials said.
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting and directed the officials to keep a close watch on the situation and take steps to ensure no loss of life. He also asked them to arrange adequate relief materials.
The cyclone warning division's (CWD) advisory said the sea will be very rough over central and north Bay of Bengal and off Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh coasts.
There will also be a storm surge of about 0.5 m above astronomical tides and it is likely to inundate low-lying areas of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam districts in Andhra Pradesh and Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts in Odisha at the time of landfall, it said.
The chief minister asked officials of the coastal districts to be alert and prepared.
Patnaik issued direction for cancelling holiday in government offices in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda districts, which are likely to be hit by fierce winds.
The state government has instructed officials in coastal districts and various departments to be alert to tackle any emergency situation, official sources said.
The IMD has also predicted damage to thatched hut, roads, crops and minor damage to power and communication lines in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri districts at the time of landfall. Local cautionary Signal Number LC-III to be kept hoisted at all ports of Odisha, it said.
Reports about damage, if any, were being ascertained, said officials.
As roads and power supply are likely to be affected due to the cyclone, Patnaik asked the departments concerned to take steps in advance to ensure quick restoration works.
He directed that special attention be given to water, electricity supply and hospitals, an official in the CMO said.
Taking the situation into account, the NDRF and the ODRAF have been deployed in different districts. One NDRF team each has been deployed in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts with 17 boats and other emergency equipment.
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnu Pada Sethi said that people from low lying areas were evacuated last night and kept at shelters. No casualties have been reported so far. As per latest reports, two villages and colonies have been affected. A landslide has been reported from Chitrakonda area. He added that except for Malkangiri district, the situation is normal in all other districts. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sanctioned a gratuitous relief of Rs 60 a day per person and Rs 45/per day for children below 12 for seven days.
He added that Malkangiri district received 166.25 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours since Thursday.
He said 150 persons were evacuated from Koteru village to safe places while steps were being taken to provide relief material to them.
Taking the situation into account, the NDRF and the ODRAF have been deployed in different districts. One NDRF team each has been deployed in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts with 17 boats and other emergency equipment.
