By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 19, 2020: Many parts of Odisha on Wednesday were battered by heavy downpour submerging low-lying areas following the formation of a new low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, according to weather officials.

Due to the fresh spell of rain, roads were flooded in some areas of the Malkanigiri district, which recorded incessant rainfall.

After a brief lull, heavy downpour since August 13 had created a flood-like situation in several parts of the state, affecting 933 villages and damaging 321 houses in the worst-hit Malkangiri district, officials said. Under the influence of a new low pressure system, most parts of north and south coastal Odisha have been battered by heavy rainfall.

The low pressure area is likely to concentrate into a depression by Thursday and move westwards, the Meteorological Centre said. Rainfall of varying intensity is likely to persist for at least two days in northern, southern and interior areas of the state, said H R Biswas, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar.

The twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack received heavy rainfall causing water-logging in several low-lying areas. The two cities recorded around 100 mm rainfall since Tuesday night, the officials said.

Most parts of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Angul, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts are likely to receive very heavy rainfall till August 21, the MeT centre said. Continuous rainfall is likely to increase the water level of major rivers in several districts.

Special Relief Commissioner, PK Jena said, the district collectors have been asked to stay prepared to deal with water-logging and “possible localised flood-like situation in any area”. On Thursday, some parts of Bargarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Deogarh districts are likely to receive very heavy rainfall. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till Friday.