Bhubaneswar: With heavy rain continuing across Odisha, the Fire & Emergency Services department has stepped up rescue and relief operations across the state, rescuing around 150 people and 10 animals so far, while clearing fallen trees from nearly 500 locations, Inspector General, Fire & Emergency Services and Home Guards, Dr Umashankar Dash, said on Friday.
Dash said the department has deployed a large number of teams along with high-powered and modern water pumps to deal with waterlogging and other rain-related emergencies.
“Due to the heavy rainfall across the state, the Fire & Emergency Services department has deployed a large number of teams along with equipment. So far, we have rescued around 150 people and 10 animals,” Dash said while speaking to the media.
He said Fire Services personnel have also been engaged in clearing roads blocked by fallen trees.
“We have cleared fallen trees from around 500 locations on roads to ensure smooth movement of traffic,” he said.
Waterlogging has emerged as another major challenge in several parts of the state.
According to Dash, water has entered houses and hospitals at several locations, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Kataka.
“Waterlogging has been reported at around 130 locations across the state. We are using high-powered and modern pumps to drain out the water,” he said.
The department has kept its personnel deployed on the ground round-the-clock to respond to emergencies arising from the continuing rainfall.
“Our personnel have been working on the ground 24×7 for the last four days to ensure that people do not face any problems and that no lives are lost,” Dash said.
The Fire & Emergency Services teams have been carrying out rescue, dewatering and road-clearance operations at multiple locations as the state continues to receive heavy rainfall.
