Bhubaneswar: Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday informed that leave of all government officers and employees in the eight flood-affected districts has been cancelled as the Odisha government intensified relief and rescue operations amid the prevailing flood situation in the state.
Addressing the media, Pujari said the state administration has remained on high alert to ensure swift flood management and relief measures. Police and fire service personnel have been deployed at vulnerable locations to tackle any emergency, while officials have been directed to remain prepared round the clock.
The minister said the floods have so far claimed three lives, all reported from Keonjhar district, while more than two lakh people across six districts and 44 blocks have been affected. Around 27,000 to 30,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations, and 226 villages continue to remain waterlogged.
He said district collectors have been carrying out relief operations effectively, with cooked food, baby food, drinking water and other essential supplies being provided at relief centres. Dry food is also being distributed to affected people who have chosen not to stay in relief camps. Polythene sheets have been supplied to families whose houses were damaged.
Pujari said medical teams have been deployed in flood-hit areas, with adequate stocks of medicines, including anti-snake venom injections, being maintained to address health emergencies during the floods.
The minister said the state government is closely monitoring the water levels in the Hirakud reservoir and other major reservoirs following continued rainfall in the upper catchment of the Mahanadi. At present, two gates of Hirakud Dam are open and the reservoir’s water level stands at around 600 feet. The government plans to maintain the water level up to 620 feet, and if required, additional gates will be opened.
He cautioned that water discharge may reach up to nine lakh cusecs in the coming days and advised people living in downstream areas to remain alert.
He said water levels have started receding in some areas, including Balasore, where many residents have returned to their homes. However, rainfall has begun in the lower reaches of the Mahanadi, necessitating continued vigilance.
Pujari also said one fire service personnel lost his life while carrying out water drainage operations in Keonjhar.
The minister said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who is currently in New Delhi, has been regularly reviewing the flood situation over the phone and issuing necessary directions to the administration.
Western and southern Odisha districts have been kept on high alert, while senior officers have been tasked with monitoring media reports and river embankments. Police, fire services and administrative officials have been stationed at sensitive locations, with sandbags kept ready for immediate deployment in case of breaches.
He added that around 60 fire service teams have been deployed across vulnerable areas and maintained that the overall flood situation in the state remains under control despite the continuing threat.
