Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha continues to remain under close watch, with relief, rescue, restoration and essential service operations underway across affected areas, the state government said on Friday.
According to the latest report of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) under the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner, seven districts — Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Kendrapada and Sundargarh — have been affected in the current phase of flooding.
A total of 76 blocks, 505 gram panchayats, 1,703 villages and 12 urban local bodies have been affected, impacting 13,44,698 people, according to the official report.
The situation has remained particularly challenging in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Keonjhar districts over the past few days. However, major rivers were showing a falling trend on Friday and were flowing below the danger level.
As a precautionary measure, 4,87,350 people have been evacuated and accommodated in 880 relief shelters. The shelters are being provided safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting, medical assistance and cooked food.
In marooned villages, response teams are delivering cooked food and safe drinking water to affected residents. Special arrangements have also been made for children, pregnant women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
Free kitchens remain operational across the affected areas, with 4,95,833 people having received cooked food so far. Dry food and other essential relief materials are also being supplied according to local requirements, while 4,765 polythene sheets and rolls have been distributed to affected families.
The state has deployed 126 response teams for rescue and emergency operations. These include 32 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, eight National Disaster Response Force teams, 46 Fire and Emergency Services teams, and 40 police, Civil Defence and local teams.
So far, 30,303 people have been rescued, while 55,139 people have been shifted using boats. Rescue teams have reached 492 cut-off villages and carried out 124 emergency medical evacuations. A total of 210 boats and specialised equipment have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Health services are also being prioritised in the affected areas, with 93 medical assistance teams deployed and 159 medical camps organised. So far, 11,549 people have received medical assistance.
Special attention is being given to maternal healthcare, with 150 pregnant women shifted to health institutions and 44 institutional deliveries conducted. The government said adequate stocks of essential medicines, anti-snake venom, oral rehydration salts and intravenous fluids have been ensured, with no disease outbreak reported so far.
Veterinary assistance is also continuing, with 39 veterinary teams and rapid response teams deployed and 174 veterinary camps organised. A total of 15,939 animals have been treated or vaccinated, while 1,405.2 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied.
The SEOC is monitoring the situation round the clock in coordination with District Emergency Operation Centres and other departments as the state continues relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected areas.
