Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Thursday deputed Minister of Mines and Steel Bibhuti Jena to Gajapati district, which has been witnessing very heavy rainfall leading to a rise in the water level of several rivers, to assess the situation and expedite relief efforts.
The Chief Minister spoke with the Gajapati district collector to inquire about the situation. He has directed the Special Relief Commissioner to provide immediate necessary assistance, a CMO release said.
It further noted that landslides in several areas of the district have disrupted transportation. “The CM is also monitoring the situation,” it added.
According to sources, a man and his son reportedly went missing after a landslide near Pekat in Rayagada block of the district. It is suspected that the father-son duo may have been buried under the mud after the landslide. They have been identified as Kartik Shabara (70) and his son Rajib Sabar. Fire Service personnel have launched an operation to rescue them.
A Deep Depression over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal crossed Odisha coast close to Gopalpur at around 5 pm, triggering heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state. A red warning was issued for the districts of Puri, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal.
Parlekhemundi in Gajapati recorded the highest rainfall of 101 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 5.30 pm, followed by Koraput (Koraput) 63.6 mm, Daringbadi (Kandhamal) 46.0 mm, Nabarangpur (Nabarangpur) 42.2 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
