Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified rescue and relief operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts following severe flooding triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall due to the severe Cyclone Arnab.
The downpour caused major rivers to swell, causing floods and massive landslides across parts of South Odisha. Thousands of people are affected, with houses, roads, and vast paddy fields damaged. Several areas are cut off after roads and bridges were washed away, leaving people stranded, particularly in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), exceptionally heavy rainfall was recorded across southern Odisha in the past 24 hours. Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded the highest rainfall at 546 mm, followed by Sorada in the same district at 503 mm, G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal at 462 mm, Mahendragarh in Gajapati at 458 mm, Sanakhemundi in Ganjam at 388 mm and Chikiti in Ganjam at 309 mm.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said water levels in several rivers have risen sharply, with some flowing above their danger marks, posing a serious flood threat. Low-lying and vulnerable areas are particularly affected, with floodwater inundating houses and forcing residents to seek shelter on rooftops.
However, Pujari said the flood situation in the affected districts has started improving after around 4 p.m. on Thursday.
According to officials, flooding severely affected 299 villages across 22 blocks in Ganjam district and 711 villages across seven blocks in Gajapati. Around 42,500 people in Ganjam and 20,000 in Gajapati are affected. NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services personnel have evacuated 11,882 people in Ganjam and 17,441 in Gajapati and shifted them to flood-cum-cyclone shelters. In Ganjam, 2,328 people across 70 villages remained marooned.
As strong currents prevented NDRF and ODRAF teams from reaching some affected areas, the stranded residents are being airlifted by Indian Coast Guard helicopters to safety. The Collector has been directed to identify such areas and provide lists of those requiring evacuation.
As many as 27 ODRAF teams, three NDRF teams and 24 Fire Services teams have been deployed in Ganjam, while Gajapati has 12 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 12 Fire Services teams. Additionally, 550 pregnant women in Ganjam and 420 in Gajapati were shifted to safer locations.
Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Bahuda River in Ganjam inundated its lower basin and caused an abnormal rise in water levels at Railway Bridge No. 1052 between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi stations, disrupting several train services across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha’s Ganjam side.
Railway officials are coordinating with the administrations of Ganjam and Srikakulam to address the situation. The Chief Secretary directed the Ganjam Collector to assist stranded passengers and keep them informed.
(IANS)
