Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday directed officials to ensure swift relief, restoration and coordinated response in all flood affected areas after chairing a high-level review meeting on the flood situation in Bhadrak district.
Reviewing the flood situation, Deputy Chief Minister held detailed discussions with officials on flood management measures, immediate relief operations and assessment of damage in the affected areas.
The meeting reviewed the water levels of the Baitarani, Salandi and Akhuapada rivers, the condition of flood-affected villages, breached embankments, damaged culverts and bridges, functioning of shelter centres, community kitchens, distribution of dry food and drinking water, public health services, veterinary care, supply of fish seed and cattle feed, crop losses, road connectivity and restoration of electricity etc.
Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to restore road connectivity in damaged areas on priority, ensure adequate availability of cattle feed, achieve 100 per cent distribution of dry food and safe drinking water in marooned villages, and deploy additional medical teams to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases. She also instructed ASHA and Anganwadi workers to intensify public awareness campaigns on health and hygiene.
She further directed the Water Resources and Rural Development departments to closely monitor vulnerable embankments and undertake immediate repair works wherever required. Stressing the need for an integrated response, she asked all departments and public representatives to work in close coordination to effectively manage the flood situation.
The meeting was attended by Bhadrak MLA and Chairman of the District Planning Board 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.
It is noteworthy that, prior to the review meeting, Parida visited Barsar and Gobindpur villages in Tihidi block to assess the ground situation and interact with local residents. She assured them that the Odisha Government would extend all possible assistance and ensure timely support for the flood-affected families.
