Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 29: The remnant of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab now lies over south Chhattisgarh. The depression also covers adjoining parts of south Odisha. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) shared the details in a special bulletin on Thursday.
The system moved almost northwards at 18 kmph over the last six hours. At 8.30 am, it was centred near latitude 19.4°N and longitude 81.9°E. This is about 40 km north-northwest of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. It lies 200 km south of Raipur and 150 km west-southwest of Bhawanipatna. The centre is also 180 km southwest of Titlagarh and 310 km southwest of Sambalpur.
The depression will keep moving north and weaken further by Thursday evening. It is likely to become a well-marked low over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining northwest Odisha. The Doppler Weather Radar at Raipur is tracking the system round the clock.
Widespread rain lashed several states in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Thursday. These included north Andhra Pradesh, northeast Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal. A few places received heavy to very heavy rainfall. Isolated spots in south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh logged extremely heavy rain. Rainfall at these spots crossed 21 cm.
Ganjam district bore the brunt of the downpour in south Odisha. Patrapur in Ganjam topped the chart with a massive 546 mm of rain. Sorada in the same district followed closely with 503 mm. G. Udaygiri in Kandhamal recorded 462 mm, while Mahendragarh in Gajapati received 458 mm. Sanakhemundi and Chikiti in Ganjam logged 388 mm and 309 mm respectively.
Several stations in Kandhamal, Gajapati, Boudhgarh, Nayagarh and Mayurbhanj also reported significant rainfall. Angul, Khurda, Bhadrak, Balasore, Koraput and Sambalpur districts also saw notable totals.
The IMD has issued a red warning for Sundargarh and Bargarh districts. These districts may get heavy to very heavy rain at a few places. One or two locations could even see extremely heavy rainfall.
An orange warning is in force for Sonepur, Nuapada, Bolangir, Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. Keonjhar, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Deogarh are also under the orange alert. These districts may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.
A yellow warning for heavy rain covers 15 districts across the state. They include Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Cuttack and Khordha. Puri, Dhenkanal, Angul, Boudh, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal and Kalahandi are also on the list.
Squally winds of 35 to 45 kmph may blow over the northwest Bay of Bengal. Gusts may touch 55 kmph along and off the Odisha coast till noon. Wind speed will gradually decrease thereafter. The sea will stay rough to very rough during this period. This applies to the northwest Bay of Bengal and the West Bengal and Odisha coasts.
Fishermen have been told not to venture into these waters till Thursday noon. Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 will remain hoisted at all Odisha ports.
Officials warned that strong winds may damage plantations, horticulture and standing crops. Kutcha houses, huts, walls and loose structures are also at risk. Power and communication lines may suffer damage too.
People have been urged to stay indoors and keep doors and windows shut. They should avoid travel and unplug electrical appliances. Residents must stay away from water bodies and objects that conduct electricity.
Urban areas may face local flooding and waterlogging in low-lying pockets. Poor visibility could also disrupt traffic.
The IMD flagged a low to moderate flash flood risk in several watersheds. Districts at risk include Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Angul and Nayagarh. Boudh, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj are also vulnerable.
Rail, road, marine and helicopter services may face regulation or disruption. Authorities have advised people to curtail recreational activities.
