Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has directed the collectors of Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh to keep a close watch on the flood situation and take necessary measures to meet any exigencies.
The SRC issued the instruction at a review meeting on the flood like situation in the state in general and specifically in the three districts on account of heavy rain due to deep depression in Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand.
Balasore and Mayurbhanj received significant rainfall during the last 3 days and as a result, the water level in Subarnarekha, Budhabalang and Jalaka rivers is rising. Keeping this in mind, the SRC told the collectors of the two districts to watch the situation very closely to meet any exigencies.
It was revealed at the meeting that 6 ODRAF teams and 10 Fire Service teams are in readiness for search and rescue operation in Balasore district while one NDRF team has been deployed. Similarly, 7 ODRAF teams, 1 NDRF team and 12 Fire Service teams are in position in Mayurbhanj.
The wildlife population of Biosphere Reserve and Shimilipal Park may be closely watched in coordination with Deputy Director, Shimilipal Wildlife Division since Shimilipal area has got good amount of rainfall, the SRC said.
With forecasting heavy rainfall for Sundargarh district, its Collector was instructed to keep ready the administrative machinery.
The collectors were instructed to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe shelters and provide cooked food, if required. Senior officers like ADM, Sub-Collector and Additional Sub-Collector can be deployed in the vulnerable areas.
During transportation of relief materials, the local IIC may be informed. The district control room should be manned by senior officers and the situation may be kept informed to the State Emergency Operation Centre from time to time, the collectors were told.
The ADG (Law & Order), EIC (DoWR), Chief Fire Officer, Senior Officers of SRC Office and OSDMA attended the meeting while the collectors joined through video-conference.