Bhubaneswar: More than 2.57 lakh animals have been affected by floods triggered by Cyclone Arnab in Odisha, with over 97,000 poultry birds and hundreds of livestock reported dead, officials said on Sunday.
According to official data, a total of 2,57,376 animals have been affected, including 1,18,479 cattle and buffaloes and 1,38,897 goats and sheep. Besides, 1,15,649 poultry birds have also been affected by the floods.
The floods have claimed the lives of 126 cattle and buffaloes, 406 goats and sheep, and 97,003 poultry birds. As many as 13,320 livestock owners have been affected, officials said.
The state government has intensified rescue and relief operations to protect livestock in the affected areas. So far, 1,918 animals have been rescued and shifted to shelters set up at 31 locations.
To provide emergency veterinary services, 72 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed across the flood-affected areas, while 116 animal health camps have been organised. Post-cyclone vaccination has also been administered to 19,582 animals.
Ganjam district, one of the affected areas, has received 201.4 metric tonnes of cattle feed, of which 87 metric tonnes have already been distributed.
In addition, 53.53 quintals of green fodder and 42.41 quintals of rice bran have been supplied to ensure adequate feed for livestock.
Officials said sufficient stocks of cattle feed were available and arrangements had been made for immediate supplies to the flood-affected areas.
Control rooms have also been established at the block, subdivision and district levels to coordinate rescue, relief and emergency operations.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik has directed officials to ensure the prompt disbursement of compensation to livestock owners who have suffered losses due to the floods.
In Ganjam district, 23 Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to provide emergency veterinary services, while 55 animal health camps have been organised.
