In response to a low-pressure area formed over the north and central Bay of Bengal, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a video conference review meeting today with the collectors of 17 potentially affected districts.
The meeting focused on strategies to tackle heavy rainfall and possible flood situations.
According to IMD, three districts—Koraput, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi—are expected to be severely impacted. Meanwhile, 14 others—Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Balangir, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Puri, Khordha, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara—have been placed on alert.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed district collectors to implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas. He emphasised the need for 24-hour control rooms at district and block levels. These should remain operational. They should regularly update information. Collectors were advised to take necessary actions based on evolving situations.
Highlighting the risk of urban flooding due to heavy rains, Majhi instructed drainage engineers and officials to stay prepared with support staff and equipment. Urban local bodies were tasked with advanced arrangements for water drainage in flood-prone zones. Additionally, engineers were urged to monitor weak points in river and canal embankments closely.
For an immediate response, the Chief Minister ordered the full preparedness of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire service units, with deployments in low-lying areas prone to flash floods and other critical locations. In hilly regions, where landslides are a possibility, district authorities were directed to identify vulnerable spots and keep field staff on alert.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Ministers Suresh Pujari, Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena and Gokulananda Mallik also participated. Key officials included the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and ACS of Home Department. Also present were the Director General of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence, Principal Secretary of Energy Department, Southern Revenue Commissioner, and Berhampur DIG. Additionally, collectors and SPs of the 17 districts, IMD Director, and other senior officials attended.
This proactive step underscores the state government’s commitment to minimising the impact of the weather event on residents.
