Govt Puts Collectors Of Five Odisha Districts On Alert After Heavy Rain Forecast

Bhubaneswar: Collectors of  Malakangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Nuapada have been asked to keep administrative machinery prepared to meet any possible situation that may arise in the event of extremely/very heavy rainfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday had issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for isolated places in Odisha for five days under the influence of a cyclonic circulation, which now lies over north coastal Odisha and neighbourhood towards the south-west.

It had issued orange warning (Be prepared) for the above districts on August 3.

In a letter to the collectors concerned, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi asked them to closely monitor the situation as flood situation may occur in these district.

He asked them to identify in advance habitations, hostels of residential schools and welfare institutions which can used as safe shelters for the affected.

“Advance arrangements may be made for providing adequate food, safe drinking water, health and sanitation facilities at all shelters/relief camps. Besides, advance planning may also be made for distributing emergent food assistance to the affected people. Fire service teams may remain prepared to carry out search and rescue operation,” Sethi wrote.

The collectors have been asked to intimate about requirement of ODRAF team.

“Please keep the SEOC updated about the situation in the district from time to time,” he added.