Odisha reviews preparedness for low-pressure rain and potential flood situation
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): In the wake of the formation of a low-pressure system over the north and central Bay of Bengal, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday held a high-level review meeting via video conference with the District Collectors of 17 districts of the state to assess preparedness for potential heavy rainfall and floods.
The Chief Minister directed all affected districts to take precautionary measures.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), three districts—Koraput, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi—are expected to be most affected.
A warning has also been issued for 14 other districts - Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khurda, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara.
During the meeting, the CM instructed to the officials to ensure that district and block-level 24/7 control rooms are operational.
CM Majhi said, "Drainage engineers and staff, along with necessary equipment, must be prepared to handle waterlogging in urban areas. He directed that advance arrangements be made for dewatering potential waterlogged areas.
He emphasized the need to closely monitor weak spots in river and canal embankments.
ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) and Fire Service units should be on full alert and deployed to low-lying areas, flash flood zones, and other necessary locations. With the possibility of landslides in hilly regions, field staff should identify these areas and remain prepared, he added.
The Chief Minister advised extra caution, especially in Malkangiri district.
Multi-purpose flood and cyclone shelters are ready for use and stocked with food and other essential supplies. He advised that people from low-lying areas should be moved to these shelters and provided with cooked food if needed.
Directions were issued to ensure an adequate stock of medicines, anti-snake venom injections, cattle feed, and other animal feed.
The CM expressed confidence that Odisha, which has earned national praise for its disaster management skills, will be able to effectively handle this situation as well.
