Jagatsinghpur: The Jagatsinghpur district administration has announced the closure of all educational institutions and Anganwadi centres on Monday, July 27, following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall triggered by a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal.

In an official order issued by the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Jagatsinghpur, all government, government-aided and privately managed schools at the elementary, secondary and higher secondary levels, including Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and all Anganwadi centres, will remain closed to ensure the safety of students.

The decision comes as the IMD reported that the well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and West Bengal coasts intensified into a depression at 8:30 am on Sunday.

According to the weather agency, the system is expected to move northwestwards and strengthen into a deep depression within the next 24 hours. It is likely to cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island around the forenoon or noon on July 27.

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy spells, across several parts of Odisha over the next 48 hours under the influence of the weather system.

Jagatsinghpur has already witnessed intense rainfall over the past 24 hours. Biridi in the district recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 328 mm, while Yuyumura in Sambalpur district received 275.4 mm, highlighting the severity of the ongoing weather conditions.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid venturing into waterlogged areas, and follow official advisories as the depression is expected to bring more heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal and adjoining districts. Emergency response teams have also been put on alert to deal with any rain-related incidents.