Arya News - The latest spell of flooding has affected 49 blocks, 331 gram panchayats, 947 villages and five urban areas, impacting around 5.15 lakh people. As many as 2.37 lakh people have so far been evacuated to safer locations.
BHUBANESWAR – With Odisha recording 953 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 16 against the normal 759 mm—27 per cent above normal—the state is grappling with a fresh spell of flooding. Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Sunday directed concerned departments and district Collectors to intensify relief, rescue and restoration operations in the affected areas.
The latest spell of flooding has affected 49 blocks, 331 gram panchayats, 947 villages and five urban areas, impacting around 5.15 lakh people. As many as 2.37 lakh people have so far been evacuated to safer locations.
Garg reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), attended by senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management, Water Resources, Health, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments. Collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, among the worst-affected districts, and IMD Bhubaneswar Regional Director Manorama Mohanty joined the meeting virtually.
According to the IMD, rainfall activity in northern Odisha is increasing under the influence of a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-North Odisha coast. The system is likely to intensify over the next 24 hours, triggering more rainfall.
Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar are under red warning, while most other districts are under orange warning and some under yellow warning. Rainfall is likely to continue in the five districts till August 18, with a gradual decline thereafter.
District administrations are currently operating 293 relief camps, where cooked food and essential dry rations are being provided. Thirty-six ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams and 43 fire service teams have been deployed in the affected districts.
The Health Department has deployed medical teams and Rapid Response Teams and stocked essential medicines, halogen tablets, bleaching powder and anti-snake venom. Around 75,000 electricity consumers remain without power due to waterlogging, while restoration is underway in areas where floodwaters have receded.
The Water Resources Department is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of vulnerable embankments and using sandbags to strengthen weak points. Senior engineers have been deployed to affected districts to oversee flood management and repair breaches after water levels recede.
Senior officers have also been assigned to assist Collectors in the worst-hit districts, while leave of officials in the affected areas has been cancelled until the situation improves. Collectors have been advised to provide immediate financial assistance to affected people.
Amid the adverse weather, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for three days. Garg also urged people to avoid gathering near swollen rivers or taking photographs and selfies at vulnerable locations and directed district administrations to intensify public awareness campaigns.
Read More:
India’s Odisha braces for heavy to very heavy rain