Odisha likely to receive more rain in 24 hours

Bhubaneswar, Aug 4 (IANS) While incessant rains have thrown normal life out of gear in several parts of Odisha, the Met department on Thursday forecast that the state will receive more rainfall over the next 24 hours.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also asked the fishermen to be cautious while venturing into the sea.

"Yesterday's low-pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast now lies over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of coastal Odisha and West Bengal today. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends up to mid-tropospheric levels," said an IMD bulletin.

It said rain or thundershowers are likely to occur in Odisha over the next 24 hours.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places in Odisha with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places in interior districts during next 24 hours.

"Gusty surface wind with speed reaching 35 to 45 kmph gusting 55 kmph may prevail along and off Odisha coast. Sea condition would be moderate to rough in Odisha coast. The height of sea wave may increase up to 3 to 4 metre along Odisha coast," the IMD said.

Heavy rains triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal lashed several parts of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, throwing normal life out of gear and forcing people to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, incessant rains have inundated the city roads.

Almost all the roads and important junctions in Bhubaneswar were waterlogged and turned into mini-pools.

Commuters faced a harrowing experience while manoeuvring through knee-deep water on roads.