Heavy rains lash Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - Heavy rains triggered by a low pressure area over the Bay Bengal lashed many parts of Orissa Saturday, affecting normal life in some places, officials said.

People stayed indoors and movement of vehicles came to a grinding halt for few hours at Gopalpur, Berhampur and Chatrapur towns in the southern Ganjam district, which recorded heavy rainfall.

The rainfall recorded in these towns in the 24 hours since Friday evening was 10, nine and eight cm respectively, an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS.

Several other places in the same district also witnessed heavy rains of four to seven cm, he said, adding that most places in the state, including state capital Bhubaneswar, have also received rains.

Due to the low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, moderate rains or thundershowers are likely to occur at most places over the state and heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places Sunday, the official said.

“There has been no report of injuries or loss of human life or property due to rains,” an official of the state revenue control room said.