Schools and Anganwadi centres in four districts of Odisha have been ordered to remain closed as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the state over the next two days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the weather system is likely to cross the southern Odisha coast between Wednesday and Thursday. Several parts of the state could receive intense rainfall, with some locations expected to record up to 20 cm of rain.
The weather system is also expected to bring strong winds of around 55-65 kmph from Tuesday evening. Officials have warned that continued heavy rainfall could increase water levels in rivers and lead to flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in regions that have already received significant rain in recent days.
Authorities in several districts have taken precautionary measures by suspending classes.
In Khurda district, all schools have been ordered to remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday. The decision has been taken as a precaution in view of the expected weather conditions.
In Ganjam, the district administration has also announced the closure of all government, government-aided and private schools from Tuesday to Thursday.
Jagatsinghpur has ordered schools to remain closed on Tuesday. The district administration has also included Anganwadi centres in the closure order.
In Gajapati district, schools and Anganwadi centres will remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday. The order applies to both government and private institutions.
The impact of the weather system is expected to be particularly significant in southern Odisha. According to the IMD forecast, heavy rainfall could gradually extend into the interior parts of the state and continue through September 25.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation as the state has already experienced sustained rainfall in several areas. The possibility of rising river levels and waterlogging has prompted the administration to strengthen preparedness measures.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg has directed the collectors of 11 districts to remain prepared and closely monitor the situation. District administrations have been asked to take necessary precautionary measures depending on local conditions.
The authorities are also expected to keep a close watch on vulnerable areas, particularly low-lying locations that could face flooding if rainfall intensifies.
Residents in areas likely to be affected have been advised to follow official weather updates and instructions issued by the district administrations as the deep depression moves closer to the Odisha coast.
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