Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha remains under control, even as fresh heavy rainfall has caused localised impacts in parts of Mayurbhanj district. The State Government and district administrations continue to maintain close watch on the situation while relief, rescue and restoration operations remain underway.
According to the latest report, Dasarathpur block in Jajpur district continues to be affected. A total of 19 gram panchayats and 62 villages have been affected, impacting 7,745 people. As many as 22 relief camps are currently operational in the district.
In Mayurbhanj, 18 blocks, 48 gram panchayats and 84 villages have been affected. Two wards of Baripada Municipality have also reported flood-related impacts. A total of 2,763 people have been affected, while 2,076 people have been evacuated and accommodated in 11 relief camps.
The relief camps are being provided with essential services such as safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting, medical assistance and food. Special arrangements have also been made for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, elderly people and persons with disabilities. Relief materials are being supplied according to the requirements of affected areas.
The administration has deployed 22 response teams in Jajpur, Baleshwar and Mayurbhanj as part of the ongoing emergency response.
Jajpur has three ODRAF teams, while Baleshwar also has three ODRAF teams. In Mayurbhanj, three ODRAF teams and 13 Fire & Emergency Services teams have been deployed. With this deployment, 157 response teams are now operating across affected districts to strengthen rescue and emergency response.
Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 8.9 mm in the last 24 hours. The highest rainfall of 309.2 mm was recorded in Bangriposi block of Mayurbhanj district. The river situation is being closely monitored, with district administrations maintaining preparedness to deal with any further rise in water levels.
Meanwhile, the well-marked low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north coastal Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal continues to persist over the same region. The system is likely to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Warning for Bargarh, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places. A Yellow Warning has also been issued for Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Nuapada and Balangir, where heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places.
Districts under the Orange and Yellow warnings have been advised to keep their administrative machinery prepared to deal with any eventuality. People have also been advised to monitor weather updates and move to safe shelters during thunderstorms to avoid lightning-related incidents.
The Office of the Special Relief Commissioner, through the State Emergency Operation Centre, is maintaining a 24×7 watch over the situation in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres. The overall flood situation remains under control, with the authorities continuing to focus on relief, rescue, restoration and the safety of people in affected areas.