Odisha declares Puri 'red zone,' bans fishing and sea bathing

Puri: In view of the heavy rainfall forecast, Puri has been placed under a "red zone" alert for the next two days following the formation of a deep depression that has severely disrupted regional weather and marine conditions.

With the sea remaining rough, the district administration has alerted tourists by hoisting red flags and has banned tourists from bathing in the sea. Lifeguards have been deployed in various sectors along the beach.

Assistant Station Officer Ananta Prasad Biswal emphasised the severity of the crisis, noting that conditions are hazardous and expected to deteriorate further.


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"Given the current situation, specifically the deep depression, Puri has been designated a 'red zone,' a status expected to remain in effect for the next two days... We have deployed 98 lifeguards from the Odisha Fire Service to raise awareness. The situation in Puri is dangerous today and is expected to worsen tomorrow; a deep depression has already formed, causing the sea to become extremely turbulent with high waves. Anything could happen at any moment," Ananta Prasad Biswal told ANI.

In response to the escalating danger, the district administration has enforced a strict, official ban on sea bathing.

Biswal said, "Red flags have already been hoisted, and lifeguards are continuously issuing warnings via loudspeakers. The government has provided lifeguards, ATV bikes, and megaphones, and the Puri administration has officially banned bathing in the sea. I urge tourists not to enter the water for the next two days."

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According to a Fire Services official, the collector has advised lifeguards to ensure that no tourist enters the sea for bathing, as the sea will remain turbulent with high tides. The administration is laying special emphasis on zero drowning.

Amid the high tides, leave of all officers and employees has been cancelled. Fishermen who had gone out to sea for fishing have returned to the coast. Fisheries Department officials have directed fishermen to keep all their boats, nets and machines safe.

Similarly, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, mechanised boat fishermen stayed ashore for the third consecutive day due to a weather alert and have been advised against venturing into the sea following warnings of strong winds over the Bay of Bengal amid prevailing weather conditions.