Bhubaneswar: More than 7.85 lakh people in over 1,300 villages across six districts of Odisha have been affected by the current floods, prompting the state government to intensity rescue and relief operations.
According to the status report released by the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Monday, the floods have affected 7,85,199 people in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapada districts.
Officials said altogether 2,77,655 people have so far been evacuated from vulnerable areas to safe locations in the affected districts. As many as 531 relief camps have been set up where cooked food is being provided, while 99 rescue teams have been deployed in the affected areas.
Stating that the safety of people and prompt assistance in the flood situation are being accorded the highest priority, they said rescue and relief operations are continuing on a war footing. Emphasis is being placed on delivering relief materials, food, drinking water, and essential healthcare services to the affected areas.
“Swift actions are being taken in accordance with requirements, along with continuous monitoring of the situation. The government is continuing all efforts to provide assistance to those affected,” officials said.
Official data showed as many as 1,304 villages in 448 gram panchayats of 66 blocks and 10 urban local bodies have been affected by the floods.
Among the worst-hit was Baleshwar district where more than 2.03 lakh people have been affected. Flooding was reported in 453 villages and 97 gram panchayats of the district. As many as 61,418 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas to safe places, while 103 relief camps have been opened to provide shelter and assistance to those affected.
Equally grim was the situation in Bhadrak, where around 1.96 lakh people have been affected across 134 villages and 39 gram panchayats. The district administration has evacuated 1,07,773 people and opened 90 relief camps.
Jajpur has also reported extensive flood impact, with 2,02,672 people affected across 270 villages and 117 gram panchayats. Around 77,680 people have been evacuated, while 191 relief camps have been opened in the district.
In Kendrapada, around 1.44 lakh people have been affected, with 134 villages and 63 gram panchayats reporting flood-related impact. As many as 2,085 people have been evacuated from affected areas.
The floods have also caused extensive damage to agricultural land across the affected districts. According to the consolidated report, crops over 42,216.7 hectares have been affected.
The flooding has also damaged residential houses. A total of 941 houses have been reported damaged across the six districts, while polythene sheets have been distributed to 1,079 affected people/families as part of relief measures.
Relief arrangements have also been stepped up in the affected areas. The report said 1.5 quintals of rice, 1,950 quintals of chuda (flattened rice) and 782.8 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been provided or arranged for relief operations.
To strengthen rescue and relief efforts, 53 fire personnel/teams, 39 ODRAF teams and seven NDRF teams have been deployed in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Engineer-in-Chief of Water Resources Department Dilip Rout said that the flood situation in the state is likely to continue for another four to five days, with several parts of the state still experiencing moderate flooding.
Waterlogging and flood conditions are expected to persist, particularly in areas affected by the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers, he said.
Rriver water levels in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts have started to recede, while several areas remain waterlogged, and normal life continues to be disrupted.
Repair work is underway on two breaches that occurred in embankments in Jajpur district.