By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:A high-level review meeting has been held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Shri Suresh Pujari to deal with the flood situation caused by the heavy rainfall in the state. Hon’ble Minister Shri Pujari has appealed to the people to stay safe by availing administrative services and assistance while the state government and all district administrations are fully prepared to deal with the flood situation. Along with this, Hon’ble Minister has clearly directed all the district administrations and other departments to work in a coordinated manner to ensure the safety of the people.
It is worth noting that the water level in Baitarani and Jalaka rivers has risen in Anandpur and Akhvapada and the flood water is flowing above the danger level, while the water level in Brahmani and Subarnarekha rivers is worrying in some places. Balasore district received the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours, while many areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts have also been affected by the rain. In this context, the next 12 hours are crucial, so the Hon’ble Minister Shri Pujari has directed to keep the SRC offices open throughout the night to monitor the rise in water level in these districts.
The Hon’ble Minister said that in view of the rise in water level in the rivers, people in the low-lying areas are being shifted to safer places. While NDRF and ODRF teams have been deployed in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts, all the District Magistrates and BDOs have been instructed to be alert. Similarly, the police department has also deployed women police for night patrolling and keeping in mind the safety of children and women.
The common people are being provided with cooking and other related facilities in the shelters. The police department has been instructed to be vigilant to protect their homes and property when they are shifted to the flood shelters. The health department, animal husbandry department and all other departments have been kept ready, while arrangements have been made for the safety of domestic animals and adequate stock of cow dung has been kept for them. In view of the snakebite, adequate medicines and injections have been kept in the affected areas.
In this context, the administration is fully prepared to deal with the flood situation and the people have been requested not to panic but to be alert and safe. Similarly, the Hon’ble Minister has directed to provide immediate compensation to the people for their houses or agricultural land damaged due to the flood.
The State Emergency Control Room is monitoring the situation 24×7 and is in regular touch with the District Emergency Control Room. Along with this, three senior IAS officers have been given the responsibility of flood control, preparedness, evacuation, public safety and overall smooth management. Sudhansu Mohan Samal for Bhadrak district, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy for Balasore district and P. Anvesha Reddy for Jajpur district have been given special responsibility.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, DG Police YB Khurania, DG Fire Service Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary Water Resources Department Mrs. Shubha Sharma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
