Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Saturday said the flood situation in the State remains under control, while relief assistance, rescue operations and round-the-clock monitoring continue in the affected districts.

According to the latest situation report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), district administrations have been directed to remain fully alert and prepared to respond to any eventuality arising from the prevailing rainfall and flood situation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places across several districts, including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely in some areas.

Major rivers below danger levels

As of 11 am on Saturday, the water levels of all major rivers, including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha and Jalka, remained below both the danger and warning levels, providing some relief to the authorities.

The State recorded an average rainfall of 6.8 mm during the 24-hour period ending Saturday morning. The highest rainfall of 93 mm was recorded in Chilika block of Khordha district. Eleven blocks received more than 50 mm of rainfall, while 21 blocks recorded rainfall between 25 mm and 50 mm.

Between August 1 and August 22, Odisha received 272.2 mm of rainfall, against the normal 252.6 mm, which is 7.8 per cent above normal. From June 1 to August 22, the State recorded 1,028.4 mm, compared to the normal 797 mm — 29 per cent above normal.

Four districts affected

The latest assessment indicates that several areas of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts have been affected by flooding.

Baleshwar: A total of 50 gram panchayats and 327 villages across six blocks have been affected. As many as 129 villages are waterlogged, affecting 24,709 people. A total of 17,799 people have been evacuated and are being accommodated in 89 relief camps.

Bhadrak: Thirty-two gram panchayats and 143 villages under four blocks have been affected. Around 1,51,932 people have been affected, while 20,567 people have been evacuated. Twenty-three relief camps are operational.

Jajpur: Twenty-four gram panchayats and 69 villages under five blocks have been affected. Forty-eight villages are waterlogged, affecting 71,425 people. A total of 334 relief camps are operational.

Kendrapada: Sixty-seven gram panchayats and 164 villages under five blocks have been affected. Forty-two villages are waterlogged, with 2,47,493 people affected. As many as 2,323 people have been evacuated and are receiving assistance at 18 relief camps.

86 rescue teams deployed

To strengthen rescue and emergency response operations, 86 teams have been deployed across the affected districts. These include 32 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 46 Fire and Emergency Services teams.

For closer monitoring of the situation, three IAS officers have been assigned to Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur. Sudhanshu Mohan Samal has been assigned to Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakraborty to Balasore and P. Anwesha Reddy to Jajpur. Additional Special Relief Commissioner Subash Chandra Nathsharma has been deployed to Kendrapada.

Rs 167.55 crore released for relief

The State Government has released a total of Rs 167.55 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in phases for relief camps, rescue operations and other flood-related measures. The amount comprises releases of Rs 110 crore, Rs 26 crore and Rs 31.55 crore.

A total of 1,07,225 polythene sheets in 21,445 packets have been supplied to flood-affected areas. Authorities have also supplied 1,431.09 metric tonnes of cattle feed to various districts.

District administrations have been instructed to take immediate measures to address localised waterlogging, inundation of low-lying areas and closure of underpasses in urban areas. They have also been asked to remain vigilant about possible damage to kutcha roads, landslides and damage to horticultural and standing crops caused by waterlogging.

The administration has advised people to closely monitor weather updates and move to safe locations during lightning and thunderstorms.

The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the SEOC are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of the situation in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) across Odisha.