Bhubaneswar: With flood havoc in Ganjam raising political heat in Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday held the previous BJD government responsible for the devastation caused in the southern district.
Pujari’s statement comes amid BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s remarks labelling the recent severe flooding in Ganjam district as a ‘man-made disaster’.
In a sharp reaction, the Minister alleged that the previous government had failed to take adequate steps to provide long-term solutions to floods and other natural disasters during its 24 years in power.
Stating that the present government is not limiting its response to relief and rescue operations, he told reporters that the administration is now working on a long-term strategy to prevent and minimise the impact of natural disasters in the future.
The government is working with various IITs to make flood management more scientific, effective and sustainable. Experts are being consulted to identify the actual causes of flooding, improve drainage systems, manage rivers and waterways, and develop measures to reduce future risks, the Minister said.
Mounting a scathing attack on BJD over disaster management during the previous government, Pujari cited casualties during cyclones in the past. He claimed that 72 people had died during Cyclone Titli and 65 during Cyclone Fani, raising questions about the preparedness and disaster response of the then government.
On the reasons behind the recent flooding in Ganjam, the Minister said the situation worsened as the rainfall exceeded the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast. The administration had made arrangements based on IMD’s predictions, while unprecedented downpour from October 28 to 30 triggered a sudden flood situation in the district.
While Ganjam received 337.6 mm of rainfall over three days, Patrapur recorded an exceptionally high 808.4 mm during the same period. The area received 546 mm of rainfall in a single day, he said.
The state government had deputed eight ministers to oversee flood management and response operations in the affected areas, the minister said.
Earlier, Naveen Patnaik had described the Ganjam floods as a “manmade disaster” and held the state government responsible for the disaster. He alleged that the authorities had failed to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) for flood management
The former chief minister claimed that dam water levels should have been monitored round the clock and water released in advance of heavy rainfall. Instead, water was released after the onset of heavy cyclonic rains in Ganjam, aggravating the floods and causing extensive damage to life and property, he had alleged.
Hitting back, Pujari challenged the opposition MLAs to present facts and documents during the upcoming Assembly session if they intended to raise questions about flood management and casualties.
He said the government is fully prepared to respond to the Opposition with relevant data and official records. While acknowledging that questioning the government is the Opposition’s democratic right, he stressed that allegations should be backed by evidence.