Bhubaneswar: With the flood situation persisting in several parts of Odisha, the state government has intensified rescue, evacuation, relief and restoration operations and evacuated more than 95,000 people to safer locations, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.
Reviewing the flood situation, Mr Pujari said the government was fully prepared to safeguard the lives and property of people in the affected areas and directed all concerned departments and district administrations to remain alert and respond promptly to any emerging situation.
He also stressed the need to find a permanent solution to the recurring flood problem in the state rather than relying solely on short-term relief and rescue measures. According to the latest report of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) under the Special Relief Commissioner’s office, floods have affected six districts, 52 blocks, 227 Gram Panchayats and 503 villages, affecting around 2,70,212 people.
The situation is being closely monitored in coordination with the respective District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs), with special focus on Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendujhar districts.
Mr Pujari said 95,206 people have so far been evacuated and accommodated in 226 relief shelters. The shelters have been equipped with essential facilities, including hygienically prepared food, safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting and medical assistance. Special arrangements have been made for children, pregnant women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
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Free kitchens are functioning in the affected areas, while dry food and other relief materials are being supplied according to the requirements of the affected population. As many as 118 response teams have been deployed for rescue, evacuation, relief and emergency operations. These include 36 ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams, 35 Fire and Emergency Services teams and 40 police, civil defence and local teams.
Additional teams have been kept on standby for immediate deployment in vulnerable areas. Health services have been accorded priority, with 62 medical teams deployed in the affected areas. Adequate stocks of medicines, ORS, IV fluids and anti-snake venom have also been kept ready.
Similarly, 31 veterinary teams have been deployed and 22 veterinary camps established. So far, 51 animals have been treated or vaccinated, while 518.74 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied to assist livestock owners and affected families. According to water-level data available up to 6 pm Saturday, water levels in the major rivers have been gradually receding. Authorities, however, continue to closely monitor river levels and have taken preventive measures at vulnerable and sensitive locations.
The minister said there was no significant shortage of response forces, food, drinking water, medicines or relief materials in the affected areas, adding that additional resources had been kept ready for deployment wherever necessary.
The Special Relief Commissioner’s office is maintaining 24×7 surveillance of the flood situation through the SEOC, while round-the-clock coordination is being maintained with district administrations and DEOCs. Response teams and various departments are working continuously to ensure timely delivery of food, drinking water, medical assistance and other essential supplies to affected people.
Meanwhile, Mr Pujari said a serious issue had arisen after Baitarani Power Project Limited, a private hydropower-generating company in Kendujhar district, allegedly released stored water without prior notice. He said the company had reportedly faced a similar controversy during the rainy season last year.
Taking serious note of the matter, the minister directed the Keonjhar District Collector to conduct a detailed inquiry and ordered that strong action be taken against the company based on the findings of the inquiry report. Around 3,794 hectares of agricultural land have so far been affected by the floods. No significant rainfall was recorded anywhere in the state Saturday, though light rain occurred at several places.
The Meteorological Department has indicated the possibility of another deep depression developing over the Bay of Bengal, which could trigger rainfall over Odisha during the next four days. In view of the forecast, orange warnings have been issued for Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar and Baleshwar districts, and authorities have stepped up preparedness measures.
The preparations were reviewed in consultation with district Collectors and senior officials of the Water Resources Department, Special Relief Commissioner’s office and Energy Department. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior departmental officials and concerned district-level officials attended the review meeting virtually.
The state government has directed all district administrations and departments to remain vigilant and ensure that relief, rescue and restoration operations continue without interruption until the situation returns to normal.
