Malkangiri: The flood situation in Malkangiri district has improved significantly with rainfall decreasing considerably since last night.
District Collector Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke, while addressing an important press conference held after heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, gave a reassuring message that the situation is now completely under control.
The Collector informed that heavy rainfall between September 23 and 25 had affected seven blocks and seven tahasils including Malkangiri, Kalimela, Mathili, Motu, Khairapur, Chitrakonda, Korukonda and Podia. During the period, a total of 86 houses were partially damaged, including 85 kutcha houses and one pucca house, and the administration has immediately distributed 324 rolls of polythene sheets to the affected families. Due to the downpour, 46 electric poles and 12 transformers were damaged, affecting nearly 12,000 consumers, while 15 rural roads were partially damaged. Assessment of other losses including crop damage is underway.
He further said that a total of 18 bridges, including five bridges on National Highway-326, remained submerged during the heavy rain. However, with the improvement in weather, flood water has receded from all bridges and they have been reopened to restore normal traffic. For safety and relief, the administration has evacuated 2,409 people from vulnerable areas and is providing cooked food to them through 25 free kitchen centres.
On the health front, the administration remains fully alert with 22 special medical teams deployed across all blocks. At present, 171 pregnant women have been accommodated safely in ‘Maa Gruhas’ while three others were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital through an alternative route.
Besides, the Collector informed that as many as 43 domestic animals have also been rescued on an emergency basis. For rescue and security operations, two ODRAF teams and seven fire service teams have been deployed at vulnerable locations along with extensive police deployment.
In a unique example of inter-state cooperation, on the request of the Sukma Collector of Chhattisgarh government, the Malkangiri administration has sent one fire service team to Oler Gram Panchayat in Sukma district for rescue and emergency infrastructure restoration work.
The Collector also informed that around 120 truck drivers, helpers and bus staff who were stranded at Govindapalli due to bad weather and road conditions were provided lunch, dinner, drinking water bottles and complete police protection, and the route has now been fully opened for movement after improvement in the situation.
Speaking at the press conference, the Collector said that significant improvement in weather since last night has expedited restoration work. All major bridges are now clear and traffic is completely normal. ODRAF, fire brigade, police and medical teams are working actively on ground zero while repair of power infrastructure and rural roads is underway on a war-footing. The administration is fully committed to the safety of the district’s people and the situation is completely under control, he said, adding that power supply and other emergency infrastructure in the affected areas is expected to be fully restored within the next few hours.
