Bhubaneswar: Incessant and heavy to very heavy rains followed by floods in the last 24 hours have claimed eight lives in Odisha as officially declared by Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) today.
Briefing media today at the Lok Seba Bhawan (State Secretariat) here, SRC Bishnupada Sethi informed, “In the last 24 hours, there has been heavy rainfall in various parts of Odisha and the average rainfall of whole Odisha is 66.6 mm. Particularly in five districts, heavy rains have been recorded. The districts are Bolangir, Boudh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur (Sonepur) and Kandhamal. Bolangir district has recorded the highest amount of rainfall that stands at 226.3 mm, in Boudh 169.7 mm, in Kalahandi 160.4 mm, in Sonepur 139.6 mm and in Kandhamal it has been recorded 125 mm rainfall. Karlamunda block has recorded this year’s highest in a day i.e. 608 mm.”
He added, “We have noticed that two blocks in Kalahandi / Bolangir districts have recorded more than 400 mm rainfall. In four other blocks in Kalahandi / Bolangir districts, it has been recorded 300-400 mm rainfall. Four blocks in Kalahandi and Bolangir districts have recorded 200-300 mm rainfall. In 40 other blocks in Odisha, the rainfall has been recorded at 100-200 mm rainfall.”
The SRC further informed, “The water level of all the major rivers in Odisha have been flowing below danger level. Due to increase in the water level of Kali Ganga river in Kalahadi district, 150 people of Sanabeda village were shifted much earlier as we had received warning. The connectivity that has lost from Kalahandi side, the people have also been rescued. The two villages in Kalahandi district are Tejipada and Deulipada. 65 villagers have been shifted to the relief centre and doctor, ASHA worker and Anganwadi worker have also been pressed into their service. In some low-lying areas, roads have been cut off. Particularly in Kandhamal district, NH 59 had got cut off at Baliguda. The cut-off diversion has been restored. But the restoration of the cut-off diversion at Tumudibandha is on.”
As per a Situation Report on heavy rainfall and flood in Odisha released to media by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, “As recorded at 8.30 am today (13.8.2019), average rainfall of the State during the last 24 hours more than 100 mm average rainfall has occurred in a day in 5 districts namely, Bolangir, Boudh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur (Sonepur) and Kandhamal.”
It Kandhamal district due to incessant rainfall, diversions near NH 59 near Baliguda (Bataguda) & Tumudibandh (Mandalpadar) connecting to Kalahandi have been washed away. Today except Baliguda area other Blocks received moderate rainfall. Baliguda received heavy rainfall.
ODRAF team along with all field functionaries has been deployed at Landagaon & khamankhol GP (Baliguda) with all food stock to tackle any untoward situation. Diversion Work in NH 59 has been completed near Bataguda (Baliguda) & at Tumudibandh the work is still going on. Restoration is in progress. Other than this situation is normal.
Subarnapur District: 3 villages in Tarabha Block have been affected due to heavy rain.
Boudh District: People from 3 villages in Kantamal Block have been evacuated. Evacuation is going on in 5 more villages.
Deployment of ODRAF and Fire Service Units
– Fire service teams deployed in respective districts. – 7 ODRAF teams deployed in Boudh, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada & Kandhamal, the Situation Report stated.
