Finance
Despite severe rainfall caused by a low-pressure system, Odisha’s flood situation remained under control on Tuesday, with 79 rescue teams deployed in affected regions and more than one lakh people affected in Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapada districts, according to officials.
As the low-pressure system continues to influence meteorological conditions across the state, the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) are monitoring the situation around the clock and coordinating relief and rescue efforts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and north Odisha remains active. The accompanying cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 kilometers above mean sea level.
The system is expected to move almost northwest through Jharkhand and northern Odisha over the next 24 hours, according to the IMD.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusting winds of 30-40 kmph are expected in various Odisha districts on Tuesday. According to the forecast, district administrations in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada have been urged to keep vigilant.
Flooding has impacted areas of Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapada districts.
In Bhadrak, 75,432 people in 70 villages across 18 Gram Panchayats in Tihidi and Chandabali blocks have been affected.
In Jajpur, 21,010 individuals in 41 villages across 15 Gram Panchayats in the Bari, Binjharpur, and Dasarathpur blocks have been affected. The district now hosts up to 67 relief camps.
In Kendrapada, 5,475 persons from five blocks, one urban local body, 11 wards, 35 Gram Panchayats, and 64 villages have been impacted. Thirteen relief camps are open in the district.
Heavy rains have also hit areas of Kendujhar, Nabarangpur, and Koraput districts. In Nabarangpur, nine blocks have been affected, and 1,622 people have been evacuated and sent to relief camps. Another 660 individuals have been evacuated from Koraput.
The state administration has dispatched 79 rescue teams to conduct immediate rescue and relief efforts in the impacted districts.
The teams consist of 28 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team, and 50 Fire and Emergency Services teams.
Officials said the teams have been prepared to respond to any emergency caused by flooding, waterlogging, or additional deterioration in weather conditions.
Odisha received an average rainfall of 17.5 mm over the last 24 hours, with the greatest total of 162.2 mm recorded in the Barkot block of Debagada district.
Four blocks received more than 100 mm of rainfall, while nine blocks and one urban local body received 50 mm to 100 mm.
The state has also recorded significant excess rainfall this month. From August 1 to August 25, Odisha received 344.4 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 287.1 mm, registering a 20 per cent surplus.
From June 1 to August 25, the state received 1,100.6 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 831.5 mm, which is 32.4 per cent above normal.
The state government has released Rs 170.30 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in different phases for the management of relief camps and other emergency response activities in flood-affected areas.
The government has also supplied essential materials to affected districts, including 1,35,725 polythene packets and 1,587.56 metric tonnes of cattle feed.
District administrations have been urged to keep prepared for any emerging crisis and to take action to manage waterlogging and localized floods in low-lying regions.
Officials have also been instructed to thoroughly monitor roadways and underpasses for potential damage to fragile infrastructure and kutcha roads.
People have been encouraged to seek shelter during lightning storms and to stay informed about weather conditions.
The SEOC is maintaining round-the-clock coordination with all District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) and monitoring the situation closely.
Officials said the overall situation in the state remained under control, while the administrations in vulnerable districts continued to remain on alert.
