With continuous heavy rainfall triggering rising flood waters across northern Odisha, the state government has swung into high alert.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting and directed all departments to ensure the safety of people and property.
“Do not panic. Stay alert and accept the help and services of the administration. We are fully prepared to protect lives and livelihoods,” the minister appealed to the public.
Water levels in the Baitarani and Jalaka rivers have already crossed the danger mark at Anandapur and Akhuapada, while the Brahmani and Subarnarekha rivers remain a cause for concern in several stretches. Baleshwar recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Bhadrak and Jajpur also witnessing significant inundation.
Recognising the next 12 hours as critical, Minister Pujari ordered the State Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office to remain open overnight. He instructed officials to closely monitor river levels and accelerate the evacuation of people from low-lying areas to safer shelters.
NDRF and ODRAF teams have already been deployed in Baleshwar, Bhadrak and Jajpur. All Collectors and Block Development Officers have been put on high alert. Night patrolling by police, including women personnel to ensure the safety of women and children, is underway. Cooked food and essential facilities are being provided at relief shelters, while police have been directed to guard the homes and belongings of those shifted.
Health, Animal Husbandry and other departments have been kept in readiness. Adequate fodder has been stocked for livestock, and sufficient anti-snake-bite medicines and injections are available in affected areas.
To strengthen on-ground coordination, three senior IAS officers have been specially assigned: Sudhanshu Mohan Samal for Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakravarty for Baleshwar, and P. Anwesha Reddy for Jajpur. The State Emergency Control Room is functioning round-the-clock in constant touch with district control rooms.
Minister Pujari also directed officials to ensure quick assessment and disbursement of compensation for any damage to houses or standing crops.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, DGP Y.B. Khurania, Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary Water Resources Subha Sharma, and other senior officers.
The Odisha government has made it clear: the administration is fully geared up, and public cooperation will be key in facing the unfolding flood situation safely.
