Kendujhar/Bhubaneswar: Amid relentless rainfall and a worsening flood-like situation, the district administration of Kendujhar on Tuesday announced the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres for Wednesday as a precautionary measure.

District Collector Vishal Singh ordered that all educational institutions, including private schools, remain shut to ensure the safety of students.

Earlier in the day, authorities in Jajpur and Bhadrak had also announced the closure of schools and Anganwadis due to similar conditions caused by continuous rainfall.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places across several districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Deogarh, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir.

The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph in these regions. An orange warning has been issued, urging residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions.

In a related development, the Odisha government has deputed three IAS officers to oversee flood management in the worst-affected districts. Sudarshan Chakraborty has been assigned to Balasore, Sudhansu Samal to Bhadrak, and Anwesha Reddy to Jajpur.