Bhubaneswar, July 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Odisha on July 4 has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and widespread heavy rainfall across the state, officials said on Thursday.

According to Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit, the visit was called off after considering the prevailing inclement weather and forecasts of continued heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha. Shah was scheduled to arrive at Jharsuguda Airport before proceeding to Bargarh district for a series of official engagements.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the inauguration of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited's (BPCL) second-generation (2G) ethanol plant at Bargarh, developed at an estimated cost of ₹1,775 crore. The Union Home Minister was also slated to attend several government programmes and public events during his visit.

However, all scheduled engagements have now been cancelled as a precautionary measure in view of the deteriorating weather conditions.

MP Pradeep Purohit said the programmes would be rescheduled once the weather improves and a fresh date for the Home Minister's visit is finalised. He expressed confidence that the important development projects, including the ethanol plant inauguration, would take place soon.

The cancellation comes as Odisha continues to experience widespread rainfall under the influence of an active monsoon system and a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for several districts, prompting authorities to remain on alert and review travel and public event schedules.

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