Bhubaneswar: Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi today wrote to collectors of as many as seven districts alerting them regarding the possible flood situation.

"In view of the extremely heavy rain forecast by IMD, the situation could worsen in case of intense rainfall. Keeping this in mind, you are requested to take following actions," Sethi said in the letter to the collectors of Rayagada, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi.

The SRC has advised the collectors to evacuate the people in vulnerable areas to safe shelters. He has directed them to open free kitchen in all shelters and make arrangements for drinking water & dry food, lighting and sanitation.

"Health teams should visit all the shelters and take care of the sick people. Wherever houses have been damaged due to heavy rainfall, polythene sheets should be provided immediately to the affected households," the SRC directed.