In the wake of heavy rains predicted in the State due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal, the farmers, who are already reeling under the impact of earlier unseasonal rains and pest attacks, are a jittery lot and making last-minute efforts to transport their produce to safe places.
However, Revenue Minister Maheshwar Mohanty on Thursday appealed to the farmers and fishermen not to panic. He said the Government is sympathetic to their cause and, in case of damages, would compensate for their losses
State Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said the rainfall is likely to be torrential from Friday till Sunday. The farmers have been informed to take all steps to keep their produce safe from any rain damages.
Meanwhile, the Regional Office of Indian Metrological Department (IMD) here said the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify further into a deep depression in next 24 hours due to which rains would occur in various parts of the State starting from Thursday evening.
The IMD further said that under the influence of a possible deep depression, heavy rains are likely to occur in 11 districts of coastal Odisha on Friday. The weather office said rains would continue in the State till December 11 though the impact could be felt till December 13.
The IMD further said, of the 18 districts to be affected due to the deep depression, Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Baleswar, Ganjam, Gajpati, Rayagada and Malkangiri would experience more rainfalls.
Besides, sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off the south Odisha coast from Thursday evening till Saturday morning. Wind speed reaching 40 to 60 kmph is likely to prevail along and off the south Odisha coast.
The ports in the State were kept on an alert and fishermen were advised not to venture into sea till December 11.