Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 22: With IMD predicting heavy precipitation in interior and northern Orissa, the state government Monday issued an alert in four districts as pounding rain left 423 houses damaged in Malkangiri district and affected road connection at many places.
“The collectors of Bargarh, Balangir, Balasore and Bhadrak districts have been put on alert in view of the prediction made by IMD. The district authorities were told to remain prepared for any eventuality,” special relief commissioner(SRC) GVV Sarma said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took stock of the situation due to the heavy rains in Malkangiri and Nabrangpur districts.
The district collector of Malkangiri, during a video conferencing with the Chief Minister, said at least 423 houses have been damaged due to the rain and the roads between Malkangiri and Kalimela have been disrupted due to the flash floods caused by rain. Though the intensity of the rain has lessened in Malkangiri district, about 600 people have been shifted to the relief camp as their houses were damaged, the district collector said, adding that the relief materials including dry food packets are being distributed among the affected families.
Though there was not much damage due to the rain in Nabarangpur district, the collector said that the authorities have stocked required materials. The water level in Indravati and Bhaskel rivers were below the danger level.
Meanwhile, the IMD in its latest bulletin said that the depression over the state had weakened into a well-marked low pressure area and now lay over interior Orissa and adjoining Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Under its impact, the IMD said rain and thunder shower would occur at most places over north Orissa and many places over south Orissa during the next 24 hours. “Heavy to very-heavy falls may occur at one or two places over interior Orissa,” said Sarat Chandra Sahu, the director of IMD, Bhubaneswar, adding the rain would continue till June 26 in Orissa. The IMD also suggested fishermen not to venture into the sea. More P-7
