Bhubaneswar: Having issued a flood alert for Balasorre and Mayurbhanj districts following incessant downpour, the Odisha government on Monday conducted a thorough review of the situation amid rise in the water level in rivers.
Several low-lying areas in these two districts are set to be inundated as rivers like Subarnarekha and Budhabalang are reportedly swelling in an alarming way, sources said.
Heavy rain in the catchment areas in Jharkhand seems to have worsened the situation, prompting authorities to closely monitor river gauges and strengthen embankments where needed.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who held a review meeting, told reporters that the overall flood situation in the state is under control.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for heavy rain in several parts of the state for the next few days.
The Minister said some dams in Jharkhand like Chandil are incomplete and the Odisha government officials are in touch with the neighbouring state over the developments.
While the water level of Budhabalanga river is gradually falling, Subarnarekha is on the rise. As there is a possibility of heavy rain in the coming days, low-lying areas like Jaleswar and other places will be affected for some time, he said.
Stating that the water level of Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga rivers are likely to start receding soon, Pujari said dry and cooked food is being provided to people in affected villages.
Central Range RDC and other officials are in high alert mode. ODRAF teams are deployed at Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Balasore. An additional two teams from Cuttack are being sent to Balasore. The Fire Services Department personnel, equipped with advanced gadgets, are carrying out relief and rescue operations, informed the Minister.
The rescue operations saw some issues at night on Sunday. However, all the operations have been intensified in the affected areas on Monday morning.
Stating that the situation is gradually improving, the Minister said another low pressure is likely to form and it may trigger rain in Jharkhand and Odisha.
However, the state government is already in alert mode to deal with any situation, he said, adding that there have been breaches in some areas but there is no need to panic.
As agriculture sector has been adversely affected, the state government will provide adequate compensation for the loss, he said.
Officials said 77 wards across Gram Panchayats and municipal areas in Mayurbhanj district have been affected. Over 5,000 people have been shifted to various relief centres. To support them, 44 free kitchens are functioning across affected areas. Seven teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and seven Fire Service units have been deployed in the district.
In Balasore, 35 Gram Panchayats and wards have been impacted, leading to the evacuation of 1,138 people. Food arrangements have been made at six different locations. Four ODRAF teams are already on the ground, while two more are being dispatched from Cuttack. Eight Fire Service teams are also engaged in rescue and relief efforts. Additionally, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams are stationed in both Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.
Several areas including Basta, Baliapal, Jaleswar, Bhograi, Remuna, and Sadar are among the worst-affected. The state government is in constant coordination with authorities in Jharkhand to monitor and manage the situation. Though 7 to 8 breaches had occurred in embankments, most have already been repaired.
