CM reviews Rayagada flood situation, supplies rushed to affected areas

Bhubaneswar: With flood situation in Kalyansinghpur and nearby areas of Rayagada district turning grim, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday instructed the officials to take up prompt rescue measures and ensure safety of people.
After reviewing the flood situation at Special Relief Commissioner’s office here, the chief minister said, “The Centre has already been requested to provide four choppers of the Indian Air Force to assist CRPF, ODRAF and fire personnel and expedite rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. The Indian Army representatives are also being mobilised.”
Heavy rain that lashed several parts of Odisha in the past 24 hours triggered flash floods in Nagavali and Kalyani rivers, submerging 30 villages of Kalyansighpur block in the district.
The Chief Minister said instructions have been issued to take all immediate mitigation measures. “No effort will be spared to ensure safety of the people. Development Commissioner has been directed to coordinate with all departments and RDC Southern Division and Range DIG instructed to closely monitor the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, two teams headed by CDMO and ADMO (PH) respectively were rushed with emergency medicines and supplies to the flood-hit block. They took along medicines, salines, bleaching powder and halogen tablets despite adequate stock.
Director Health Services also left for Rayagada to monitor and supervise healthcare in the affected areas.
Earlier in the day, the district administration shifted people from the low-lying areas to safer places. Road communication between Nabarangpur and Koraput has been cut-off while train services on Theruvali and Singapur has been suspended following damage to a railway overbridge.
The district received nearly 189.88 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.