Odisha government put out an alert to district collectors and increased preparedness levels in view of the forecast of very heavy rainfall over the next two days.

Instructions have been issued to keep Independence Day functions to the very minimum and not to involve children in parades due to the apprehension of lighting strikes. Cultural programmes in the open may be avoided.

“My concern is lightning should not strike children, so let’s keep the Independence Day functions to the minimum. I don’t know how to reduce it though” the CM said. He reviewed the situation , preparedness levels and issued directions to meet any eventuality.

The home department has issued advisory to all educational institutions on I Day celebrations and children being kept away from the open etc.

The CM asked the district collectors to stay prepared. The water level in major rivers were viewed and it was felt that there was no immediate threat of floods since the rivers are flowing below their respective danger mark.

Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi said district and block level disaster mitigation plans are there and concerned officers have been directed to follow the action plan.

The NDRF and ODRAF units have been alerted. The forecast is that a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal will cause heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely to occur in 13 districts– Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Boudh, Sambalpur, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal.

A report from Kalahandi district said torrential rains since last night affected normal life in several parts of the district.. Road communication between Bhawanipatna and Bolangir in NH-26 has been disrupted as a diversion road near Kantesir 6 kms from Kesinga was washed away.

The low lying areas in Amgach Pada, Madanmohan pada, Jorepada, Ramnagar Pada, and Dhobapada under Bhawanipatna Municipality area is under knee deep water and water logged. Water entered in to DIPRO office and there is knee-deep water.

The office room of District information and the office room of district public relation officer and other rooms of the office is also under water. The Saraswati Vidya Mandir premises are also under water.