Bhubaneswar, 14th October (Press Release): At present the State is under the spell of two disasters like Phailin storm and flood. Flood has affected 5 major districts namely Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar. This situation has been reviewed by the Minister Revenue & Disaster management Sri Surya Narayan Patro in a high level meeting in secretariat conference hall today.
Reviewing the situation the Minister has directed for augmenting the rescue and relief operations by engaging the ODRAF, NDRF, Army and Naval teams along with State Government machinery. The operations for air dropping of relief packets have been taken up on war footing. SRC Sri P.K.Mohapatra has said that air dropping works will start from today afternoon.
Review reveals that the Cyclone has caused heavy rainfall in different parts of Odisha more particularly, in above cited districts. The heavy rainfall at upper basins of Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Baitarani has caused flood in these rivers inundating 39 GPs in 4 blocks ( Remuna, Sadar, Jaleswar and Bhogarai) of Balasore District, 2 blocks ( Betanati and Badasahi ) of Mayurbhanj district, 3 blocks ( Korei, Jajpur and Dasarathpur) of Jajpur district and 2 blocks ( Bhadnadripokhari and Dhamanagar ) of Bhadrak district.
The rivers like Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga Baitarani and Jalaka are flowing well above the danger level by 9 AM today. Around 3 lakh people have been surrounded by flood water in Balasore district. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner Dr Arabinda Padhee reached the affected areas in Balasore district for carrying on the rescue and relief operations.
The first hand information available shows that the recent cyclone and flood has affected 128 blocks, 1924 GPs, 15578 villages and 40 urban local bodies. Around 1crore and 19 lakh people have been affected. Because of timely and large evacuation, the human causality has been limited to 21. As of now the reported animal casualty is 313 large animals, 419 small animals and more than 6000 birds. The crop in 4,37,723 hectors have been destroyed. Around 10,13, 647 people and 31,000 domestic animals have been shifted to flood/cyclone shelters and safe places.
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The Minister Sri Patro has directed to provide adequate relief, medicine, drinking water in these centers. Minister has also directed to intensify disinfection of tube-wells, wells and other water sources in affected areas for making it usable for people. The doctors , medical teams and sanitation teams have started operation in affected areas to check possible public health hazards.
The Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi advised to keep additional back up generators for power support to mobile towers. Sri Padhi also emphasized on generator back up support for making the computer, fax and other systems functional at block and tahasil offices. Minister has directed to keep additional generator sets and adequate diesel in hospitals.
As of now the National High ways and State High ways and other major roads connecting the district and block head quarters have been opened up. Minister Sri Patro has directed to augment efforts for opening up roads to all GP and Villages.
As power distribution systems and grids have severely damaged in many places, emphasis was laid on engaging more technical teams and modern equipments in restoration of power supply in earliest possible time. Energy Secretary Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena has reached the affected areas to expedite the restoration works.
The Special Relief Commissioner has advised all the departments to make assessment of damages and furnish the data in prescribed format by tomorrow for upward transmission to Central Govt. The Minister Sri Patro has also directed to prepare daily work schedule of the restoration work and report compliance without fail.
Development Commissioner Sri Injeti Srinivas, Addl. Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster management Sri Taradatt, Additional DG, Police Sri Sanjeeb KUmar Marik, , Principal Secretary Home, Sri Vipin Saxena, Principal Secretary Water Resources Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Special Relief Commissioner Sri Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra, the senior officers of Army, Naval, NDRF, ODRAF along with Secretaries of respective Departments and senior officers participated in the discussion.
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