Bhubaneswar: Amid a worsening flood-like situation in several parts of Odisha due to incessant rainfall, the state government on Tuesday deputed three IAS officers to oversee flood management and response efforts in the worst-affected districts.

According to official sources, Sudarshan Chakraborty has been assigned to Balasore, Sudhansu Samal will monitor the situation in Bhadrak, and Anwesha Reddy has been deputed to Jajpur.

Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the evolving flood situation and coordinate response measures.

Briefing the media after the meeting, the minister said the government is fully alert and closely monitoring rising water levels in major rivers. With the next 12 hours considered critical, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) will remain on round-the-clock watch to ensure swift response.

Authorities have started evacuating residents from low-lying areas to safer locations as river levels continue to rise. Teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts. District collectors and block development officers have been directed to remain on high alert.

Night patrolling has been intensified, while departments including Health and Animal Resources have been put on standby. Adequate stocks of anti-venom have been positioned in vulnerable areas to tackle the risk of snakebites during flooding.

Urging people not to panic, the minister appealed to citizens to stay cautious and strictly follow safety advisories issued by the administration.

Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi, DGP Y. B. Khurania, and Special Relief Commissioner Prabhakar Patil, attended the review meeting.

In a separate meeting, the Health and Family Welfare Department reviewed preparedness in flood-affected districts under the leadership of Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S..

Officials have been instructed to ensure adequate availability of essential medicines, ORS packets, bleaching powder, halogen tablets, and anti-snake venom. Special attention will be given to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

The department has also emphasised maintaining safe drinking water, food hygiene, sanitation, and strengthening public awareness campaigns. District health officials have been directed not to leave their headquarters, while control rooms are maintaining constant communication with affected areas to ensure timely intervention.