District collectors have been carrying out relief operations effectively, with cooked food, baby food, drinking water and other essential supplies being provided at relief centres.
Govt Staff Leave Cancelled Amid Flood Relief Measures: Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday informed that leave of all government officers and employees has been cancelled in the eight flood-affected districts. Relief and rescue operations have been intensified amid the prevailing flood situation across the state.
Addressing the media, Pujari said the state administration has remained on high alert to ensure swift flood management and relief measures. Around 60 police and fire service personnel have been deployed at vulnerable locations to tackle any emergency. On the other hand officials have been directed to remain prepared round the clock.
The minister said the floods have so far claimed three lives, all reported from Keonjhar district, while more than two lakh people across six districts and 44 blocks have been affected. Around 27,000 to 30,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations, and 226 villages continue to remain waterlogged.
He said district collectors have been carrying out relief operations effectively, with cooked food, baby food, drinking water and other essential supplies being provided at relief centres. Dry food is also being distributed to affected people who have chosen not to stay in relief camps. Polythene sheets have been supplied to families whose houses were damaged. Pujari said medical teams have been deployed in flood-hit areas, with adequate stocks of medicines, including anti-snake venom injections, being maintained to address health emergencies during the floods.
The state government is closely monitoring the water levels in the Hirakud reservoir, the minister said. Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Rayagada, Gajapati and Malkangiri districts recorded heavy rainfall. The minister said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who is currently in New Delhi, has been regularly reviewing the flood situation over the phone and issuing necessary directions to the administration.
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