The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather warning for eastern India, predicting heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in several states.
On Monday, September 9, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and East Rajasthan are expected to experience heavy rainfall. The IMD predicts even heavier rainfall in Vidarbha, Haryana, West Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat Region, and Coastal Karnataka.
A deep depression currently located over the Bay of Bengal is the driving force behind this weather pattern. The IMD states that this system is likely to move northwestward, bringing widespread heavy rainfall to Odisha and Chhattisgarh within the next 24 hours.
The IMD has issued a red alert for five districts in Odisha – Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal – for Monday, September 9. Additional districts, including Ganjam, Koraput, Kandhamal, Bolangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Sambalpur, Angul, and Nayagarh, are also expected to experience scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated instances of extremely heavy rainfall.
The IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in Odisha and East Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, September 10. Additionally, low to moderate flash flood risks have been forecast for parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on September 9 and 10.
Reports indicate that flash floods have already begun in Malkangiri and Koraput districts. In Malkangiri, a significant area is submerged, and water levels on NH-326 have risen above four feet in several locations. A landslide near Valve House Chhak has blocked a major road, disrupting communication between Chitrakonda block, Malkangiri, and Jeypore.
The heavy rainfall has also resulted in displacement. At least 25 villagers were forced to evacuate from Digapur panchayat in Koraput due to flash floods on Sunday, September 8. Furthermore, Ganjam, Rayagada, and Gajapati districts have experienced waterlogging as a result of the depression-induced rainfall since Saturday, September 7.
In response to the severe weather conditions, Odisha’s Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has directed district collectors to remain vigilant and initiate the evacuation of residents from vulnerable low-lying areas.
