Heavy rain lashed Odisha as cyclonic storm ‘Daye’ crossed the State at Gopalpur in Ganjam district on the small hours of Friday.
Southern and coastal Odisha received heavy rain that caused inundation. About 150 people were shifted to safer places.
There was, however, no report of any casualty, said Bishnupada Sethi, Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.
“The cyclonic storm moved west-north-westwards during the past six hours with a speed of about 23 kmph and crossed south Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coast close to Gopalpur around 1.30 a.m. on Friday,” said Mr. Sethi.
The southern Odisha town of Jeypore recorded 290 mm of rainfall, Malkangiri 284 mm and Semiliguda 210 mm. Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Puri districts also received heavy rain.
Road connectivity snapped at several places as rivers overflowed in Malkangiri district. Roads in Kangurukonda and Potteru were submerged, leading to disruption in vehicular movement between Malkangiri and Motu.
Submergence in low-lying areas of Bhadrak and Balasore has also been reported. The water level in the Jalaka river was at the 6.30-metre mark against the red level of 5.5 metres by 3 p.m. on Friday.
The water level was also rising in Budhabalanga and Baitarani rivers.
There was no threat of a major flood in the State, said government sources.
Gratuitous relief
After reviewing the situation, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sanctioned gratuitous relief for seven days at ₹60 per day per person and ₹45 per day for children below 12 years in Malkangiri district.
The district administration was directed to reach out to the affected people and extend all assistance.
The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places as the system weakened into a depression.
