Cuttack: More than 47,000 people in 167 villages of Odisha’s Cuttack district have so far been affected by flood in the Mahanadi and the administration is taking all steps to mitigate their plight, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Giving a detailed account of the flood situation in different parts of the district, Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani said four blocks – Narasinghpur, Banki, Tigiria and Dambada have been affected so far.
A total of 47,551 people in 167 villages located in these blocks have been affected, he said adding that 346 people have been evacuated from vulnerable places and shifted to safe locations.
Arrangements have been made for providing dry and cooked food to the flood-hit people accommodated in shelter centres.
A total of 25 permanent and 36 temporary flood shelter centres are functioning in different parts of the district where senior officers are deployed to motor the overall situation and take steps for evacuation, rescue and relief operation, the collector said.
Stating that some areas have been submerged with flood water in Banki and Tigiria blocks, he said ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Service teams have been deployed to undertake rescue operations wherever necessary.
There are 25 power boats which are being pressed into operation to rescue people trapped in marooned areas, he said, adding that more boats will be mobilised if necessary.
“We are keeping a close watch on the situation. All necessary arrangements have been made keeping a peak flood in the Mahanadi river in mind. We are prepared to deal with any eventuality,” said Chayani.
