South Odisha Heavy Rain continued on Wednesday as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moved towards the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast. Around 5,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas as authorities prepared for more rainfall.Key HighlightsGajapati moved pregnant women, elderly people and other vulnerable residents to safer shelters.Semiliguda in Koraput recorded 230 mm of rain in 24 hours.IMD issued a red alert for Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.Odisha deployed 33 ODRAF teams for emergency response.Why Is South Odisha Facing Heavy Rain?"The deep depression Odisha weather system was moving towards the coast at around 5 kmph. At 8:30 am on Wednesday, its centre was about 60 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh."The system was also located around 150 km south of Gopalpur and 240 km south-southwest of Puri. Its movement has increased rainfall across several parts of Odisha.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of light to moderate rain in most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas and extremely heavy rain at isolated locations.Which Districts Recorded Heavy Rain?Ganjam heavy rain, Gajapati rainfall, Koraput rain and Malkangiri rain were reported as the weather system affected southern Odisha."Semiliguda in Koraput recorded 230 mm rainfall during the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am Wednesday. Jeypore recorded 161 mm. More than 16 places received over 100 mm of rain during the period."Heavy rainfall was also reported in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal.Rainwater entered homes in some areas, while officials also reported uprooted trees, damaged houses and muddy water flowing down hills.Related Instagram Post : South Odisha Heavy RainWhat Rain Alert Has the IMD Issued?The IMD issued a red alert for Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, warning of more than 20 cm rainfall in the next 24 hours.Nabarangpur was also placed under a red warning for Thursday. Several southern and coastal districts received an orange warning, with rainfall of 12–20 cm possible in isolated areas.The IMD also warned of squally weather, with winds reaching 55–65 kmph until Thursday evening. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea during this period.What Steps Has the Odisha Government Taken?Authorities have increased monitoring in vulnerable areas. Gajapati district identified 140 landslide-prone locations for close observation.Pregnant women, elderly residents and others living in vulnerable areas were shifted to cyclone shelters and temporary relief camps. Officials are also providing cooked food to evacuated residents.The state government has deployed 33 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams to respond to emergencies.Educational institutions and Anganwadi centres were ordered to remain closed in 10 districts. Government officials' leaves were cancelled, and they were instructed to remain at their headquarters.Hospitals in vulnerable areas were asked to keep emergency medicines ready. Officials were also directed to move pregnant women from low-lying areas to nearby community health centres or Maa Gruhas.The IMD said heavy to very heavy rainfall could continue in isolated parts of Odisha on Friday and Saturday, keeping several districts under close weather monitoring.Also Read : Kerala Rain Alert: 5 Tourists Dead in Malappuram Flash Flood, Orange Alert in 6 Districts
