Bhubaneswar: The state govt has asked collectors of 20 districts to remain on alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy rainfall under the influence of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a deep depression.Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said govt was monitoring the situation closely and was prepared to deal with any eventuality. The govt, however, has not confirmed any cyclone threat to Odisha so far.A high-level review meeting has been held under Pujari’s chairmanship. The minister said the department was in constant touch with the IMD and had instructed district collectors to remain prepared. “The state govt is fully prepared to handle any situation, whether it is storm or very heavy rainfall. District collectors have been directed to remain alert,” he said.The fresh spell of rain, expected between Sept 22 and 25, could worsen the situation in districts that have only recently recovered from repeated flooding. Several parts of the state, including north Odisha and Sundargarh, have witnessed floods following heavy to very heavy rain over the past two months.Officials said around 11 deep depressions and four low-pressure systems formed during the period, triggering prolonged rainfall across the state.Farmers in flood-hit areas, meanwhile, fear further damage to standing crops, fish ponds and kutcha houses if heavy rain lashes the state again.“We have already faced floods four times in the past two months. We cannot withstand another round. Our paddy crop was washed away due to continuous rain and floods. We sowed paddy again a few days ago, but heavy rain will damage it once more,” said Rama Dalai, a resident of Baliapal in Balasore district.Pujari urged people not to panic and advised them to rely only on information issued by the IMD and govt-authorised sources.“The assessment of losses caused by this year’s floods has been completed, and compensation distribution is in the final stage. Around Rs 226 crore has been disbursed so far for damaged houses, crop loss, vegetable damage, clothing and utensils,” the minister said.