Bhubaneswar, 01 September (H.S.): The flood situation in Odisha remains under control, with relief, rescue, response and restoration operations continuing across affected areas. While conditions have improved in several locations, fresh heavy rainfall in parts of Mayurbhanj district has caused localised impacts, prompting the State Government and district administrations to maintain heightened preparedness and close monitoring.

In Jajpur district, Dasarathpur remains the only affected block, with 19 gram panchayats and 62 villages affected. A total of 7,745 people have been affected, while 22 relief camps are currently operational.

In Mayurbhanj district, 18 blocks, 48 gram panchayats and 84 villages, along with two wards of Baripada Municipality, have been affected. As many as 2,763 people have been affected and 2,076 people evacuated. Eleven relief camps are operational in the district, providing shelter and essential assistance to 2,076 beneficiaries.

The operational relief camps are being equipped with essential facilities, including safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting, medical assistance and food. Special arrangements are being made for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Essential relief materials are also being supplied based on local requirements.

To strengthen emergency response operations, 22 response teams have been deployed in Jajpur, Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj districts. These include three ODRAF teams in Jajpur, three ODRAF teams in Baleshwar, and three ODRAF teams along with 13 Fire and Emergency Services teams in Mayurbhanj. With these deployments, a total of 157 response teams are currently engaged across affected districts.

Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 8.9 mm during the past 24 hours, with the highest rainfall of 309.2 mm recorded in Bangriposi block of Mayurbhanj district. The river situation continues to be closely monitored, with district administrations maintaining necessary preparedness measures.

Meanwhile, the well-marked low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north coastal Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal persists over the same region. The system is likely to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours.

The weather office has issued an Orange Warning for Bargarh, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places. A Yellow Warning has also been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Nuapada and Balangir, where heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places.

Districts under the Orange and Yellow warnings have been advised to keep their administrative machinery prepared to deal with any eventuality. People have also been advised to closely monitor weather conditions and seek safe shelter during thunderstorms to avoid lightning-related risks.

The Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), through the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), continues to maintain a 24×7 watch on the situation in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda