Bhubaneswar: In response to the heavy to very heavy rainfall in various parts of Odisha, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has sprung into action, issuing immediate directives to District Collectors to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact.
The SRC has prohibited the movement of vehicles on submerged roads and bridges until the water recedes, and local police and officers will be deployed on-site to regulate traffic.
In addition, the SRC has ordered the evacuation of residents in low-lying villages if necessary, to prevent any potential threats to life. The District Collectors have been asked to make arrangements to provide cooked food to those evacuated, ensuring their basic needs are met. These swift actions aim to mitigate the impact of the flooding and prioritize the safety and well-being of the affected people of Malkangiri, in particular.
According to sources, heavy rainfall has battered several parts of Odisha, with Malkangiri district bearing the brunt of the downpour. Waterlogging and flash floods have been reported in various areas, prompting the state government to review the situation and take proactive measures to mitigate the impact.
As per official reports, the past 24 hours saw significant rainfall in various districts of Odisha, with Malkangiri receiving an average of 190 mm. Nabarangpur and Koraput followed with 70 mm and 67.4 mm of rainfall, respectively. Notably, the Khairput block in Malkangiri district experienced the highest rainfall, recording an impressive 221.2 mm in the last 24 hours.
Besides, four blocks in Malkangiri district such as Chitrakonda, Korkunda, Khairput, and Kalimela have experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, with each receiving over 200mm of rainfall. In light of this, the SRC held a review meeting with the District Collectors to assess the situation and discuss necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the heavy rainfall.
“Flooding has been reported in various parts of Malkangiri district due to heavy rainfall caused by the Depression over the Bay of Bengal. The Poteru River has overflowed near Poteru (NH 326), while the Kanyashram and Challaguda bridges are submerged. The Podia-Kalimela road has also been impacted, informed the Malkangiri Collector to the SRC.
Nabarangpur Collector also informed the SRC that the bridge over the Turi River, which connects Papadahandi to Chandahandi, has been submerged due to the heavy rainfall. As a precautionary measure, traffic has been prohibited on this route until further notice.
