Subarnarekha in spate: Odisha on high alert

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 18:

With Subarnarekha in spate following low pressure induced rains in its upper catchment in the last two-three days; the Odisha government has put the district administrations of Balasore and Mayurbhanj on high alert.

The district administrations of these districts are fully geared up to tackle the situation in the eventuality of floods.

“Low pressure induced rains in the last two-three days has led to floods in the river Subarnarekha. Especially, 3 lakh cusec of water which has been released by Jharkhand into the river today is likely to reach Rajghat early in the morning tomorrow. This water is likely to create floods,” informed Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra to reporters here today.

“This is likely to affect especially Rasagobindpur block of Mayurbhanj district and four blocks of Balasore district- Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal, and Bhogarai. Keeping this in view we have directed the Collectors of the two districts to take stock of their flood preparedness. In the meantime, Balasore Collector has called for an inter-departmental meeting and has started preparations to tackle the possible outbreak of flood,” he added.

The Deputy Relief Commissioner said Collectors have been further directed to review their preparedness including pre-positioning of food materials, boats etc and take steps whichever is necessary for in accordance with the demand of the situation.

“In Balasore district, we have a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit and an Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) unit as well. These units will be pre-positioned in the district. Similarly, there is an ODRAF unit in Baripada in Mayurbhanj district which will be deployed. This apart, Fire Services units will be also deployed,” he added.

The Deputy Relief Commissioner further said that Collectors have been told to immediately inform the Special Relief Commissioner’s office in case they needed the movement of additional units of ODRAF or NDRF in their areas in addition to the existing ones.