Bhubaneswar: A high level review meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik which revealed that the state has experienced unprecedented rainfall at many places and recorded rainfall above 200 mm.
Soon after the meeting, Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said, “In the wake of heavy rainfall across Odisha due to cyclonic circulation, Chief Minister Friday reviewed the situation at the state secretariat here.”
“Rainfall in some places is unprecedented. For instance, Puri has recorded 322 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours. In Cuttack city, 211 mm rainfall has been recorded in the same period. Around 16 blocks of Odisha have similarly experienced above 200 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours,” he stated.
He further informed, “It has been further predicted that this heavy rainfall will continue for the next 48 hours. Odisha Government is prepared to tackle the situation arising out of it,”
The SRC also informed, “In Cuttack and Bhubaneswar cities, all pumps available will be pressed into service for pumping out water-logging at various places. Affected people will be provided with cooked food. Cuttack district administration has made cooked food arrangement for about 16000 people in the city. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also made cooked food arrangement for all the marooned people.”
On the water-logging situation of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar cities, he stated, “All schools in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar cities have been closed for today. The concerned District Collectors across the State have also closed the schools there taking into view the situation. Tomorrow is Sunday, a holiday. Depending on Monday’s situation, such action will also be taken accordingly.”
On the flood-like situation, the SRC informed, “We are keeping a watch on the water level of all the main rivers. The water levels of all the main rivers are below the danger mark. Even though the water levels of Jalaka, Rusikulya, Nagavali, Brahmani and Baitarani are rising, they are much below the danger mark.”
He also informed, “Hydropower generation in some places has been stopped due this situation in places like Balimela in Malkangiri, hydropower generation in Kalahandi.”
The SRC said, “Following the high level flood situation review chaired by the Chief Minister, 317 fire services teams and all the ODRAF teams have been deployed at different places in the state. The Chief Minister has ordered all the fire service teams, ODRAF teams and police personnel to be on high alert.”
PNN