Cyclone Impact / Odisha govt to airlift around 120 stranded people in Ganjam as floodwaters rise: Chief Secretary
·1 hour ago·3 min read
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Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg said arrangements were being made to airlift around 120 people stranded by floodwaters at four locations in Ganjam district, with around 2,000 people stranded in waterlogged areas and the administration coordinating with the Coast Guard to evacuate those requiring urgent assistance by helicopter.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday said arrangements were being made to airlift around 120 people stranded by floodwaters at four locations in Ganjam district as heavy rainfall linked to Cyclone Arnab continued to affect the state.
Around 2,000 people are stranded in waterlogged areas, and the administration is coordinating with the Coast Guard to evacuate those requiring urgent assistance by helicopter, Garg said at a press conference.
“Things will get better with a gradual decrease in rainfall,” the Chief Secretary said, expressing hope that the situation would improve as precipitation subsides.
Ganjam has been among the worst-affected districts, with 22 blocks and 299 villages impacted by heavy rain, affecting around 44,500 people, according to figures shared at the press conference.
Around 2,000 people are stranded in waterlogged areas, and the administration is coordinating with the Coast Guard to evacuate those requiring urgent assistance by helicopter, Garg said at a press conference.
“Things will get better with a gradual decrease in rainfall,” the Chief Secretary said, expressing hope that the situation would improve as precipitation subsides.
Ganjam has been among the worst-affected districts, with 22 blocks and 299 villages impacted by heavy rain, affecting around 44,500 people, according to figures shared at the press conference.
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Patrapur block in Ganjam recorded 546 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, while Mohana block in Gajapati district received 307 mm. G Udayagiri block in Kandhamal district received 462 mm of rainfall.
193 relief camps operational in Ganjam
The district administration has established 193 relief camps, providing shelter and assistance to 11,882 people. Around 550 pregnant women have also been safely evacuated in Ganjam.
As many as 27 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams are deployed in the district, with another 15 teams being sent to strengthen rescue and relief operations, Garg informed.
The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) in Brahmapur is monitoring the situation. The administration is continuing its response as rainfall and flooding affect several locations.
Also Read: Jalaput Reservoir Water Level Rises, Two Dam Gates Opened
Train services disrupted in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
"Railway services have also been disrupted in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh after water levels in a rivulet reached the danger mark near bridge number 1052 on the Ichchapuram-Jhadupudi section in Srikakulam district, under the Visakhapatnam division", Garg said.
193 relief camps operational in Ganjam
The district administration has established 193 relief camps, providing shelter and assistance to 11,882 people. Around 550 pregnant women have also been safely evacuated in Ganjam.
As many as 27 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams are deployed in the district, with another 15 teams being sent to strengthen rescue and relief operations, Garg informed.
The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) in Brahmapur is monitoring the situation. The administration is continuing its response as rainfall and flooding affect several locations.
Also Read: Jalaput Reservoir Water Level Rises, Two Dam Gates Opened
Train services disrupted in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
"Railway services have also been disrupted in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh after water levels in a rivulet reached the danger mark near bridge number 1052 on the Ichchapuram-Jhadupudi section in Srikakulam district, under the Visakhapatnam division", Garg said.
The South Coast Railway cancelled three services: train No. 58531 Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam Passenger, train No. 18525 Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam Express and train No. 58532 Visakhapatnam-Brahmapur Passenger.
Three other services were affected:
Train No. 68419 Bhubaneswar-Palasa was short-terminated at Chatrapur.
Train No. 68420 Palasa-Bhubaneswar was scheduled to originate from Chatrapur instead of Palasa.
Train No. 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar was short-terminated at Palasa.
Garg said the authorities had contacted the Divisional Railway Manager in Visakhapatnam and the railway general manager to facilitate alternative transport for short-distance passengers. For long-distance passengers, the administration has requested arrangements for food, drinking water, toilets and rest rooms at nearby railway stations.
"The water level near the affected railway bridge could take another six to eight hours to recede", Garg informed.
Three other services were affected:
Train No. 68419 Bhubaneswar-Palasa was short-terminated at Chatrapur.
Train No. 68420 Palasa-Bhubaneswar was scheduled to originate from Chatrapur instead of Palasa.
Train No. 18448 Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar was short-terminated at Palasa.
Garg said the authorities had contacted the Divisional Railway Manager in Visakhapatnam and the railway general manager to facilitate alternative transport for short-distance passengers. For long-distance passengers, the administration has requested arrangements for food, drinking water, toilets and rest rooms at nearby railway stations.
"The water level near the affected railway bridge could take another six to eight hours to recede", Garg informed.
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