Odisha: 50,000 People Affected Due To Flash Flood In Subarnarekha River In Balasore; Relief Ops Underway

The flash flood in Subarnarekha River has affected over 50,000 people in Odisha's Balasore district after water entered their villages on Saturday following heavy rain in neighbouring Jharkhand.

The district administration has also made people aware of the situation.

An official told PTI that the administration has geared up for the relief and rescue operations.

Odisha Flash Floods | What Is Administration Doing?

The flash flood has affected as many as 17 gram panchayat areas in the three blocks of Bhograi, Baliapal, Basta and a part of Jaleswar Notified Area Council (NAC) were affected by the flash flood.

Residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas has been advised to stay alert and be prepared to shift to nearby cyclone shelters if the situation deteriorates.

Balasore District Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas instructed the block development officers (BDOs) and tehsildars to remain prepared to evacuate the people if required.

The officials were asked to keep a watch on the situation and help people affected by the flash flood. The BDOs were also asked to undertake the distribution of dry food items among the affected people, PTI reported.

The chief district medical officer (CDMO) was directed to keep adequate stocks of essential medicines and ensure healthcare arrangements were in place.

The superintending engineer (irrigation) was asked to conduct a thorough check of all gates of Chandil Dam and maintain round-the-clock monitoring of water levels, taking all necessary precautionary measures.

The civil supplies officer (CSO) was asked to confirm the readiness and adequacy of food and essential supplies. All staffers' leaves were cancelled until further notice, and a strict directive was issued prohibiting government officials from leaving headquarters without prior permission, the official said.

District Emergency Office sources said that though the water level of Subarnarekha at Rajghat was receding, it still remained at 11.9 metres against the danger mark of 10.36 metres.

"We hope the water level will recede further as there has not been much rainfall in the upper catchment of the river in Jharkhand," the official said, adding that there is no threat of any medium or major flood in the Subarnarekha River system.