Bhubaneswar: As the flood situation in Ganjam continues to trigger a political slugfest with the Opposition mounting sharp attacks on the state government’s handling of the crisis, Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday stepped in to defend the administration and put the government’s version on record.
Addressing a press conference at Lok Seva Bhawan, Garg countered the allegations of mismanagement and man-made flood, asserting that the deluge was the result of an extremely severe and unprecedented spell of rainfall and not due to any lapse in dam management.
She said the flood was caused by excessive and abnormal rainfall that continued for three consecutive days.
Elaborating on the intensity of the rainfall, the Chief Secretary said the situation in Patrapur shows the severity. Patrapur recorded 546 mm rainfall in a single day, which even broke the record of rainfall during Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
Citing data to underline the severity, Garg said the intensity of the downpour can be gauged from Patrapur block, which alone recorded a staggering 546 mm rainfall in a single day. She noted that the block had received 89 mm the previous day and another 173 mm the following day, taking the three-day total to an abnormal high.Garg pointed out that several other places in the district also broke all-time rainfall records. The rainfall this time, she said, was higher than the heavy downpours witnessed in 1990 and 2013. Compared to Cyclone Phailin in 2013, this time’s rainfall was 65% higher. While Phailin had brought intense rain for a single day, Ganjam witnessed continuous, extremely heavy rainfall for three days at a stretch, leading to the flood situation.
On questions being raised over reservoir and dam management, Garg said only 10% of the total water from the catchment area of Rushikulya and Bahuda rivers enters the dams. The remaining 90% water flows directly into the rivers, over which there is no control. However, water release from the dams was done as per protocol. Engineers studied the situation and released water. As water was released during Phailin, it was done this time too.
On the allegation of opening more gates, she said dam safety is the top priority and no risk can be taken. Gates were opened according to the inflow of water, in a phased manner as per the standard protocol.
When asked about allegations made by former Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra, Garg said the Central team has already submitted its report and has stated that the situation was created due to unprecedented rainfall.
On restoration, the Chief Secretary said no loss of life has been reported in this natural calamity. Power supply, drinking water and damaged infrastructure in the affected areas have almost been restored on a war-footing. The administration continues to provide necessary assistance and relief to the people.
