Incessant Rains: Odisha SRC Reviews Possible Flood Situation, Alerts Collectors

Bhubaneswar: State Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Nikunja Dhal reviewed the possible flood and water logging situation arising from the incessant heavy rains across Odisha on Wednesday.

After reviewing the situation with the collectors of Angul, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Subarnapur, and Sambalpur, he directed the collectors to initiate adequate precautionary measures and keep all field-level functionaries at strategic locations suspected to water logging/low-lying areas to meet any eventuality.

Anticipating heavy precipitations during the next two days, ODRAF teams are being sent to Keonjhar and Sambalpur for rescue and search-related duties. NDRF teams are being deployed in Bhadrak and Jajpur.

The SRC stressed on evacuation of people from water-logged areas so that they are provided shelter at safe places. The local Fire Services teams & ULB authorities shall take steps in de-watering and clearance of uprooted trees if needed.

In a directive, the SRC said that the flood-affected people should be provided with dry/cooked food and drinking water. Adequate anti-snake venom must be available in DHH/CHCs/PHCs.

The Collectors have been given the freedom to decide closure of schools and Anganwadi Centers if required due to heavy rain. Vehicular traffic must be regulated carefully on submerged roads.

The DG, of Fire and Emergency Services, has been requested to deploy teams in Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Angul, Bolangir, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Jajpur, and Bhadrak in search and rescue operations.

The Special Relief Commissioner also reviewed the present position of the river systems and reservoirs in the presence of officers of DoWR. He directed DoWR to instruct SEs/EEs to stay alert.