Odisha intensifies flood preparedness as rivers swell, vulnerable districts on high alert

Bhubaneswar: With heavy rainfall continuing across several parts of the state, the Odisha government on Friday stepped up flood preparedness, directing district administrations to accelerate evacuations, strengthen relief operations and maintain round-the-clock monitoring in vulnerable areas.

The preparedness measures were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who said the government was fully equipped to deal with the evolving situation and urged people to remain calm and cooperate with the administration.

The Minister said the next 12 hours would be critical as water levels continued to rise in several rivers. He directed the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to function throughout the night for continuous monitoring and instructed officials to shift people living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to safer locations without delay.

According to the latest assessment, the Baitarani river at Anandapur and the Jalaka river at Akhuapada have crossed the danger level, while the Brahmani and Subarnarekha rivers are also witnessing rising water levels. Balasore recorded the highest rainfall during the past 24 hours, with Bhadrak and Jajpur also experiencing heavy showers.

To strengthen the response, NDRF and ODRAF teams have been deployed in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. Collectors and Block Development Officers have been instructed to remain on high alert, while police have intensified night patrols. Women police personnel have also been deployed to ensure the safety of women and children.

The government said relief shelters have been equipped with cooked food, drinking water and other essential supplies. Police have been directed to protect the homes and belongings of evacuated families, while the Health, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments have been kept on full preparedness.

Officials have also stocked adequate cattle feed for livestock and positioned sufficient medicines and anti-snake venom in flood-affected areas to tackle emergencies during the monsoon.

Pujari instructed officials to conduct immediate damage assessments once the situation improves and ensure timely compensation for losses to houses and agricultural land in accordance with government norms.

The State Emergency Operation Centre is monitoring the situation round the clock in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres. To strengthen field-level supervision, the government has deputed three senior IAS officers to oversee operations in the worst-affected districts. Sudhanshu Mohan Samal has been assigned to Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy to Balasore and P. Anvesha Reddy to Jajpur.

The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Subha Sharma and other senior officials.