Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed the concerned officials, including the district Collectors, to gear up for a possible flood situation in the State.
Chairing review of flood situation in the state caused by continual rainfall, Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik directed district admins of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Khurdha, Puri, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Bhadrak districts to be on alert and equipped for handling any exigencies. He urged District Administration to carry out coordinated efforts with Odisha Fire Service and ODRAF to expedite rescue and relief services. He sought for prompt submission of report on damage assessment to identify the affected and commence disbursal of assistance and provision of services.
Connectivity has been restored in Malkangiri while normalcy is prevailing in Kalahandi district, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. Conditions in Sambalpur have improved steadily with arrangement of shelters and cooked meals for all affected people in the area.
Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Jena said, “7.5 lakh cusecs of water would flow through Munduli barrage by 3 pm due to which small or medium floods would occur. The Hirakud Dam authorities will open gates on Tuesday and three lakh cusec of water will be released. However, there is nothing to worry about.”
A small or a medium flood is likely to occur on the Mahanadi basin following the torrential rains in the past three days. However, there is no possibility of a major flood, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi. “As per the Water Resources Department, eight lakh cusecs of water would flow through the Munduli barrage by Monday evening, thereby triggering small or medium floods in the Mahanadi,” Sethi said.
“Keeping in view this situation, the Government has asked the district Collectors to be prepared for possible flood situations. The administrations of Jajpur, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Khordha districts were alerted and asked to keep vigil on weak embankments and alert people in low lying areas. They have been directed to keep shelters ready to house relocated people in case of any emergency. Every possible step would be taken to protect lives of people,” he said
The Baitarani river touched the danger mark near Akhuapada and eight to nine panchayats in Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district, might get affected by the flood, he further said.
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