Schools and anganwadi centres in parts of Odisha have been ordered to remain closed on Monday, August 24, amid heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions
triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. According to a PTI report, the administrations of Nabarangpur and Bhadrak districts have announced school closures in view of the weather conditions and rainfall forecast. In Nabarangpur, all schools and anganwadi centres have been closed on August 24. In Bhadrak, 89 schools in vulnerable areas have been ordered to remain shut on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in several districts of Odisha until August 26. However, the school closure orders currently confirmed by the district administrations are only for August 24. There is no official confirmation yet regarding school closures on August 25 and 26. However, considering the IMD's rainfall forecast through August 26, further closure orders may be issued depending on weather conditions and the situation in affected areas. Parents and students are advised to follow announcements from their respective district administrations. Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding, Disrupts Connectivity The heavy rainfall has triggered flash floods in parts of Kalahandi district. Authorities released 412 cusecs of water from the Mangalpur Barrage of the Indravati Project into the Hati River, which was already in spate, causing flooding along its embankments. Floodwaters entered low-lying areas of Talpada, Bankapala and Jampadar villages under Kalampur block. The local administration rescued 293 people from Paruaguda and Bodelbandh villages and provided them with free ration. Road connectivity between Junagarh and Kalampur and on the Thuamul Rampur-Kashipur route has also been disrupted due to heavy rain. Several parts of Odisha recorded heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am on Sunday. Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi recorded 345 mm, while Kashipur in Rayagada received 212 mm of rain. Nineteen other locations recorded rainfall between 100 mm and 200 mm. The IMD said the upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal off the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts intensified into a low-pressure area early Sunday. The system is expected to move northwestwards across north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal over the next 24 hours. The weather office has issued an orange warning for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh for Monday. A yellow warning is in place for several other districts, including Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also expected in several areas. Flood Response Intensified in Bhadrak Meanwhile, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling visited Bhadrak and reviewed the flood situation. Sixteen medical relief centres have been opened in the worst-affected areas of Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Chandabali and Tihidi blocks. Eight rapid response teams and 10 mobile health units have been deployed, with health workers conducting house-to-house surveillance. Nearly 3 lakh people across 244 villages in five blocks of Bhadrak have been affected by flooding, officials said. Supplies including anti-snake venom, bleaching powder, halazone tablets and ORS have been made available. The district has reported 16 snake-bite cases and 107 cases of acute diarrhoeal disease so far, while 12,786 people have received treatment for minor ailments. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along the Odisha coast until August 24 as squally weather, with winds of 40-60 kmph, is expected over the Bay of Bengal and along the West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts. (With PTI Inputs)
