Bhubaneswar, 22 August (H.S.): The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to managing the prevailing flood situation, with uninterrupted relief assistance and rescue operations continuing in affected areas.

According to the latest situation report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the flood situation in Odisha remains under control. District administrations have been directed to remain fully alert and prepared to deal with any eventuality.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at several places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.

Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in some districts.

As of 11 am on Friday, the water levels of major rivers, including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Jalka, remained below both the danger and warning levels, providing some relief.

The state recorded an average rainfall of 6.8 mm during the 24-hour period ending on August 22 morning. The highest rainfall of 93 mm was recorded in Chilika Block of Khordha district. Eleven blocks received more than 50 mm of rainfall, while 21 blocks recorded rainfall between 25 mm and 50 mm.

From August 1 to 22, Odisha received 272.2 mm of rainfall against the normal of 252.6 mm, which is 7.8 per cent above normal. Similarly, between June 1 and August 22, the state recorded 1,028.4 mm of rainfall against the normal of 797 mm, marking a 29 per cent surplus.

According to the latest available assessment, several areas of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts have been affected by the floods.

In Baleshwar, 50 gram panchayats and 327 villages under six blocks have been affected. As many as 129 villages are waterlogged and 24,709 people have been affected. A total of 17,799 people have been evacuated and are being provided shelter and assistance at 89 relief camps.

In Bhadrak, 32 gram panchayats and 143 villages under four blocks have been affected. The floods have affected 1,51,932 people, while 20,567 people have been evacuated. Twenty-three relief camps are currently operational.

In Jajpur, 24 gram panchayats and 69 villages under five blocks have been affected. Forty-eight villages remain waterlogged, affecting 71,425 people. A total of 334 relief camps are operational.

In Kendrapada, 67 gram panchayats and 164 villages under five blocks have been affected. Forty-two villages are waterlogged, while 2,47,493 people have been affected. A total of 2,323 people have been evacuated and are being provided assistance at 18 relief camps.

A total of 86 rescue teams have been deployed in the flood-affected districts. The teams comprise 32 ODRAF, eight NDRF and 46 Fire and Emergency Services teams.

For effective monitoring and management of the flood situation, three IAS officers have been assigned to Bhadrak, Baleshwar and Jajpur. Sudhanshu Mohan Samal has been assigned to Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakraborty to Baleshwar and P. Anwesha Reddy to Jajpur. In addition, Additional Special Relief Commissioner Subash Chandra Nathsharma has been deployed to Kendrapada.

For the management of relief camps, rescue operations and other flood-related measures, a total of ₹167.55 crore has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in three phases. The releases comprise ₹110 crore, ₹26 crore and ₹31.55 crore.

The government has supplied 1,07,225 polythene sheets in 21,445 packets to flood-affected areas. A total of 1,431.09 metric tonnes of cattle feed has also been supplied to various districts.

District administrations have been instructed to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to manage localised waterlogging, inundation in low-lying areas and the closure of underpasses in urban areas. They have also been advised to monitor the possibility of damage to kutcha roads, landslides, and losses to horticultural and standing crops due to waterlogging.

People have been advised to closely follow weather updates during thunderstorms and lightning and move to safe locations when necessary.

The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), along with the State Emergency Operation Centre, is maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of the situation in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) across the state

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda