Bhubaneswar: The government is fully prepared to deal with the flood situation and people have been urged to remain alert and safe without panic, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Monday after a high-level review meeting.
To ensure smooth management, the government has entrusted special responsibilities to three senior IAS officers. Sudhansu Mohan Samal has been given charge of Bhadrak district, K Sudarshan Chakravarthy for Balasore district, and P. Anvesha Reddy has been assigned special responsibility for flood management, preparedness, evacuation, public safety and overall coordination.
The meeting was held to assess the situation arising out of incessant rains in the state. Chief Secretary Anu Garg, DGP YB Khurania, DG Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary Water Resources Shubha Sharma and other senior officers were present.
Pujari said the State Emergency Control Room is monitoring the situation 24×7 and is in regular touch with District Emergency Control Rooms. He has directed district administrations to provide immediate compensation to people whose houses or agricultural land have been damaged due to floods.
The Minister appealed to people to avail administrative services and assistance and to cooperate with the state government and district administrations. He also directed all departments to work in a coordinated manner to ensure public safety.
Highlighting the river situation, Pujari said water levels in Baitarani at Anandpur and Jalaka at Akhuapada have risen above the danger level. Water levels in Brahmani and Subarnarekha are also a cause for concern. Balasore recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours, while several areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts have been affected.
In view of this, SRC offices in vulnerable districts have been directed to remain open throughout the night to monitor rising water levels in the next 12 hours. People from low-lying areas are being shifted to safer places. NDRF and ODRAF teams have been deployed in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur. All District Magistrates and BDOs have been instructed to remain alert. The Police Department has been asked to ensure night patrolling and deploy women police for the safety of children and women.
Cooked food and other facilities are being provided in shelters. Police have also been told to remain vigilant to protect homes and property of those shifted. The Health, Animal Husbandry and other departments have been kept on standby.
Arrangements have been made for the safety of domestic animals along with sufficient fodder. Pujari reiterated that there is no need to panic and the government is fully geared up to tackle any situation arising out of the rains.
