Bhubaneswar: Heavy rains forced the closure of educational institutions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Tuesday as the spell triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Gangetic West Bengal and North Odisha Coast has been vigorous since Monday.
The low lying areas in almost all districts including the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar remained waterlogged due to the incessant rain, disrupting traffic.
Private vehicles and commercial vehicles are off the road due to the nationwide transport strike.
The water level in major rivers is on the rise and road connectivity has been snapped at several places, throwing normal life out of gear.
The Bhubaneswar Met office in a release said heavy to very heavy rain and thundershowers will continue to lash at as many as 11 districts in southern, western, coastal and heavy rainfall at interior districts of the state during the next 24 hours.
The sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, the release said.
In the capital city, people are struggling with waterlogging at several places like Jaydev Vihar, Nayapalli, CRP and Paika Nagar. Rainwater entered houses in areas like Sashtri Nagar, Nayapalli and other low lying lanes and by lanes of the city.
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation issued toll free helpline numbers 18003450061, 0674-2432281 for assistance. In Cuttack, traffic has been affected badly due to waterlogging and as many as 190 motor pumps have been pressed into service to flush out excess rainwater from the low lying areas.