Deputy CM Pravati Parida Reviews Bhadrak Flood Response, Stresses Faster Relief and Restoration

Bhadrak/Bhubaneswar: With floodwaters affecting several parts of Bhadrak district, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday undertook a field visit and chaired a high-level review meeting, directing officials to intensify relief operations, restore damaged infrastructure on priority and ensure that no affected family is left without assistance.

The meeting, held at the Collectorate Conference Hall, focused on reviewing the district’s flood management measures, relief distribution, damage assessment and preparedness for the post-flood situation.

Officials briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on the water levels of the Baitarani, Salandi and Akhuapada rivers, the condition of flood-hit villages, breached embankments, damaged roads, culverts and bridges, functioning of shelter centres and community kitchens, besides the supply of drinking water, dry food and essential services.

The review also covered crop damage, restoration of electricity, public health measures, veterinary care, availability of fish seed and cattle feed, and efforts to reconnect areas cut off by floodwaters.

Parida instructed officials to restore road connectivity in affected areas at the earliest and ensure 100 per cent distribution of dry food and safe drinking water in marooned villages. She also directed the Health Department to deploy additional medical teams to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases and asked ASHA and Anganwadi workers to step up awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation.

She further directed the Water Resources and Rural Development departments to maintain constant surveillance over vulnerable embankments and undertake immediate repair works wherever necessary to prevent further damage.

Emphasising the importance of coordinated action, the Deputy Chief Minister asked all departments and public representatives to work in close coordination to strengthen flood response and expedite relief and restoration measures.

Earlier in the day, Parida visited Barsar and Gobindpur villages under Tihidi block to assess the flood situation firsthand. Interacting with affected residents, she assured them that the state government would extend all possible assistance and ensure timely support for rehabilitation.

The meeting was attended by Bhadrak MLA and District Planning Board Chairman Sitanshu Sekhar Mohapatra, Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Additional District Magistrate Rabinarayan Sahu, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Subhendra Samal, Superintendent of Police, Sub-Collector Saurabh Chakraborty and other senior district officials.