BHUBANESWAR: Special relief commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi on Friday asked district administrations to remain prepared to meet any possible flood in view of forecast of heavy rain from Saturday.“Adverse situation if any may be promptly reported to the state emergency operation centre in the office of the SRC,” said Sethi.Balimela in Malkangiri district remained cut-off from the district headquarters town with rain water overflowing on roads at MV-11, MV-37 and Korkunda, road communication between Kalimela and Motu was snapped.Kandhamal and Rayagada district also witnessed heavy rainfall. Vansadhara river was flowing over the danger level at Gunupur in Rayagada district. Water level of Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Baitarani rivers was on the rise at one or two places in the afternoon after the heavy rain on the upper catchment area.Tikabali in Kandhamal district recorded the highest 140mm rainfall in the state. The other areas received major rainfall include Malkangiri (90mm), Panposh (70mm), Jenapur and Barkote( 60mm each).Meanwhile, lightning wreaked havoc in the state on Friday. It has claimed at least 17 people in different parts of the state. Among the deceased, six people belong to Balasore district, five from Mayurbhanj, three people from Bargarh and one each from Kendrapada, Nuapada and Khurda districts. The state has witnessed 156 deaths due to lightning strikes so far this year. The state had witnessed 458 deaths in 2017 and 398 deaths in 2016 due to lightning strikes.HR Biswas, the director of India meteorological department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, said the low-pressure, likely to turn into depression would trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall at several coastal and interior districts in the state till Sunday.IMD Bhubaneswar sources said heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur at one of two places over Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Boudh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur and Ganjam on Saturday.Extremely heavy rainfall will occur at one or two places over Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh and Subarnapur on Saturday. It may create flood-like situation in these districts.Pramod Kumar Meherda, health secretary, asked all collectors and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) to remain alert for possible flood situation in the state. Extreme heavy rainfall may occur at some places of the state on Saturday and Sunday.He asked the officials to take stock of bleaching powder, saline, antibiotics, halogen tabs and other emergency supplies in health facilities lying within vulnerable areas. “Women in advance stage of pregnancy should be brought to the nearest and safe maternity waiting homes,” said the secretary.Nodal officers for health services be designated and round the clock control rooms be started from Saturday morning, said the secretary.

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