Bhubaneswar July 20 (IANS) The Odisha government on Friday asked all the District Collectors to remain alert to meet any possible flood situation with the Met Department predicting heavy rainfall across the state in the next two days.
"Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) sources indicate that under the influence of a low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and associated cyclonic circulation heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in different districts with extremely heavy rainfall in some places from July 20 to 22 " Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said in a letter to District Collectors.
Directing the Collectors to respond to emergency situations he asked them to ensure round-the-clock functioning of the district Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) and instruct field functionaries to remain present at their respective headquarters.
"Adverse situation if any may be promptly reported to state emergency operation centre in the office of SRC " the letter said.
Meanwhile the IMD has forecast possibility of heavy rainfall over Balasore Jajpur Bhadrak Jagatsinghpur Kendrapada Puri Khordha Nayagarh Ganjam Gajapati Rayagada Malkangiri Koraput and Kandhamal districts on Friday.
For July 21 Kandhamal Nayagarh Cuttack Jagatsinghpur Boudh Kalahandi Sonepur and Ganjam districts have been kept on alert.
For July 22 extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Sundergarh Sambalpur Jharsuguda Deogarh Keonjhar Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.

--IANS cd/mag/sed