Bhubaneswar: After heavy downpour wreaked havoc in several parts of Odisha, the state government has asked the officials concerned to conduct surveys and assess the extent of crop loss caused by incessant rains.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who reviewed the situation caused by rains, said the district administrations have been asked to conduct the surveys immediately and submits reports to the state government.
The Minister said that the state government will provide compensation to the affected farmers within 24 hours of completion of the assessment of damage.
Notably, the Minister chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the preparedness to manage a possible flood-like situation in view of the rising water level in Baitarani River.
Officials said the meeting reviewed the current water level of the Baitarani River, anticipated flood situation, likely affected areas and population, preparedness measures undertaken by the district administrations, evacuation and rescue arrangements, management of shelter homes, availability of relief materials, and deployment of rescue teams.
The exercise was undertaken as several districts in Odisha were affected by the recent spell of heavy rainfall triggered by a depression. The water levels in the Mahanadi, Devi, Jalaka, Kushabhadra, Rushikulya and Ib rivers remain below the danger level, they said.
The water level of the Baitarani River witnessed a relative rise at Anandapur and Akhuapada and officials are maintaining constant vigil over the water levels of all major rivers.
The state government is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality, the Minister added.
