Odisha Rain Situation Under Control as 13,221 Evacuated from Affected Areas

Bhubaneswar: With rainfall activity declining across Odisha, the overall weather situation in the State remained under control on Tuesday, although district administrations continued to monitor localized flooding, waterlogging and other weather-related risks.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) is monitoring the situation round the clock in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs), while trained response teams remain deployed in vulnerable districts.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rain or thundershower is likely at one or two places across all districts of Odisha. A Yellow Warning has been issued for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 1.1 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on September 29. Banki-Dampada block in Cuttack recorded the highest rainfall at 45 mm, while 12 blocks received more than 10 mm of rain.

Cuttack recorded the highest district average rainfall at 9.5 mm, followed by Puri at 6.3 mm, Gajapati at 4.9 mm, Khordha at 2.9 mm, Dhenkanal at 2.5 mm, Koraput at 2.4 mm and Malkangiri at 1.9 mm.

Despite the reduced rainfall activity, cumulative rainfall in the State during September 1-29 stood at 316.2 mm against the normal 233.4 mm, marking a surplus of 35.5 per cent.

As part of the ongoing preparedness measures, 43 ODRAF and NDRF teams are deployed across the State, including 36 ODRAF teams and seven NDRF teams.

Baleshwar has 14 teams, followed by Bhadrak with nine, Koraput and Jajpur with four each, Jagatsinghpur with three and Nabarangpur with two. Reserve teams have also been positioned at OSAP 6th Battalion in Cuttack and NDRF 3rd Battalion at Mundali.

The teams have been kept ready for rescue, evacuation and other emergency operations depending on the local situation.

District administrations have so far evacuated 13,221 people from vulnerable and affected areas, with 49 relief camps opened to provide shelter and assistance.

Baleshwar reported the largest evacuation, with 7,452 people moved to safety. Six blocks, 72 gram panchayats and 479 villages have been affected in the district, with an estimated 48,560 people affected. Fifteen relief camps are operational.

In Jajpur, 3,876 people have been evacuated from two affected blocks covering 12 gram panchayats and 36 villages. Nineteen relief camps are operational for an affected population of 5,059.

Bhadrak has reported 18,691 affected people across five blocks, 57 gram panchayats and 172 villages, with relief and food being provided to affected families.

In Jagatsinghpur, 822 people have been evacuated from two blocks, six gram panchayats and eight villages, with six relief camps operational. The affected population in the district stands at 1,188.

In Sambalpur, 93 people have been evacuated from one urban local body and two wards, with three relief camps functioning. Bargarh reported 978 affected people, all of whom have been evacuated, with four relief camps operational.

Nabarangpur has reported 85 affected people, with two relief camps functioning, while Kandhamal has reported eight affected people.

The government has also arranged cattle feed for affected areas. A total of 907.04 metric tonnes has been supplied so far, including 400 MT to Baleshwar, 380.5 MT to Bhadrak, 67.74 MT to Jajpur, 40 MT to Mayurbhanj and 18.80 MT to Koraput.

There is currently no warning for fishermen.

The SEOC has advised district administrations to remain alert to localized flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas and possible closure of underpasses, particularly in urban areas. Authorities are also monitoring vulnerable structures, kutcha roads, possible landslides and damage to horticulture and standing crops due to inundation.

With rainfall activity having reduced, the State government said monitoring and response measures would continue, with district administrations maintaining readiness to undertake evacuation and relief operations wherever required.