Flood Fury / 13.44 Lakh People Affected as Floods Hit Seven Odisha Districts; Rivers Showing Falling Trend

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: Odisha continued to grapple with a grim flood situation, with hundreds of villages and lakhs of people remaining marooned across the state. The state government is closely monitoring the situation, while relief and rescue operations are underway and efforts are being made to restore essential services in the affected areas.

According to the latest report from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), operating at the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), seven districts (Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Kendrapada, Sundaragada) have been affected in this phase of flood conditions in the state.

The SRC office further informed that 13,44,698 people in 1,703 villages in 505 gram panchayats across 76 blocks and 12 Urban Local Bodies in the above seven districts of the state have been impacted by the continuous flood situation.

“During the last few days, the situation has remained comparatively challenging in Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Kendujhar districts. However, as of today, major rivers have been showing a falling trend and are below the danger level,” the state government informed.

The officials have so far evacuated a total of 4,87,350 people and accommodated them in 880 relief shelters. The state government is continuing relief and restoration operations across affected areas, while monitoring the situation round the clock through the SEOC and district-level District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs).

Free kitchens continue to remain operational across affected areas, with 4,95,833 beneficiaries being provided with cooked food so far. Dry food materials and essential relief items are also being supplied as per local requirements, with 4,765 polythene sheets/rolls distributed to affected families.

To strengthen rescue and emergency response operations, 126 response teams have been deployed across the affected districts.

Also Read: Subarnarekha Floodwaters Recede, Over 200 Villages Still Inundated In Baleshwar's Bhograi

These include 32 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams, 46 Fire and Emergency Services teams and 40 Police/Civil Defence/Local teams. Additional resources continue to remain available for deployment as required. The response teams have been working continuously to reach affected communities and provide timely assistance. The Rescue teams have reached 492 cut-off villages, and 124 emergency medical evacuations have been carried out.

A total of 210 boats and specialised equipment have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. The state government said health services remain a priority in all affected areas.

A total of 93 medical teams have been deployed, while 159 medical camps have so far provided assistance to 11,549 people. Special attention is being given to maternal healthcare, with 150 pregnant women shifted to health institutions and 44 institutional deliveries conducted.

Stocks of essential medicines, anti-snake venom, ORS and IV fluids have been kept adequate, with no disease outbreak reported so far.

(IANS)