Bhubaneswar: Amid fears of floods and landslides in south Odisha due to incessant rainfall under the influence of the deep depression, the state government has deputed two senior ministers to the affected region to oversee preparedness and relief measures.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed that Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has been sent to Koraput district and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik to Gajapati district to monitor the situation on the ground and assist the district administrations.
Pujari said the ruling BJP has also directed MLAs whose constituencies have been identified as vulnerable to visit their areas and remain present to help people.
“We are well prepared to deal with the situation. Men and machinery have been deployed at strategic locations. As per the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the administration is working with the goal of zero casualty,” Pujari said.
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department said it has intensified night patrolling and field-level vigilance at strategic locations across the state in view of the heavy rain. Engineering officers and field staff are keeping a close watch on embankments and other critical water infrastructure, it said in a statement.
The IMD has warned of squally weather along the Odisha coast with wind speed gusting up to 70 kmph and has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till Friday morning.
