Bhubaneswar: Even as Odisha is limping back to normalcy after Cyclone Fani, the state government has put all 30 districts on high alert for the next three days. This after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall for the next three days.

The Odisha government’s step was taken in view of the IMD indicating the formation of a low-pressure area in north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, which is likely to intensify into a depression during the subsequent 48 hours.

"Under its influence, enhanced rainfall activity is very likely over the districts of Odisha," director of IMD, Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas said.

Due to the likely formation of a low-pressure area over north Bay of Bengal, squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely to prevail over north Bay of Bengal and the adjoining west central bay from June 30 to July 2, he added.

In an advisory issued to the district collectors, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said, "Administrative machinery of all the districts have been asked to remain alert to meet any localised flood/water logging situation that may arise in the event of extremely heavy rainfall. Situation may be closely watched."

The SRC said Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri and Balasore districts were specially told to remain alert.

The IMD advised fishermen not to venture along and off the Odisha coast and north Bay of Bengal from June 30 to July 2. Those who had ventured to the deep sea were advised to return to the coast by the night of June 29, the IMD said.

Extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places in Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara districts and heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places in the coastal districts, besides in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Kandhamal and Malkangiri have been forecast on Sunday (June 30), the department said.

It forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday (July 1) with extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur over one or two places in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sonepur and Boudh districts.