The Odisha government on Sunday placed the entire state on high alert after the IMD forecast extremely heavy rainfall following the formation of a fresh low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
Authorities have evacuated more than 2.37 lakh people to safer locations as continuous heavy downpours for a second consecutive day exacerbated the situation across flood-stricken northern districts, an official said.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, following a review of the situation after the IMD forecast, said the leaves of all government employees had been cancelled and those on leave were asked to report for duty immediately.
“We have asked the district collectors to remain on high alert as the IMD forecast very heavy rain for three days from August 16 to 18,” Garg told reporters.
She said that fresh flooding has impacted over 5.15 lakh people spanning 947 villages, 331 gram panchayats, 49 blocks, and five urban areas.
To manage the fallout, the administration has relocated 2.37 lakh displaced people into 293 designated relief shelters across affected zones, she said.
Garg further stated that three senior IAS officers have been sent to lead emergency responses and monitor relief and rescue operations in the worst-affected districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.
In addition, Additional Chief Engineers from the Water Resources Department have been stationed at key points to monitor embankment stability and carry out immediate repairs in case of breaches, she said.
Around 90 rescue units, comprising 36 ODRAF, 7 NDRF, and 47 Fire Services teams, have been deployed in vulnerable areas, Garg said.
Teams from health, water resources, housing and urban development, and fisheries and animal resources departments are also active on the ground, she said.
Additional Chief Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Usha Padhee, instructed all urban authorities to remain on high alert and ensure rapid, coordinated emergency measures.
Padhee also urged urban authorities to post routine updates via news briefings and social media channels to keep the public informed and reassured.
Meanwhile, the IMD issued a red alert for several parts of the stat while urging fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea off the coasts of West Bengal, Bangladesh, Odisha, and North Andhra Pradesh from August 16 to 18.
The meteorological office, in its latest bulletin, said that the low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coasts intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area over the same region at 2.30 pm on Sunday.
The IMD warned the system will likely move northwestward and concentrate into a depression over the next 24 hours.
According to sources in the office of the Special Relief Commissioner, flood conditions remain severe across Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts.
Inundations in these areas stem from swelling levels in the Baitarani, Brahmani, Salandi, Jalaka, and Budhabalanga rivers along with their tributaries.
A slight reprieve was observed as the Subarnarekha river receded to 9.21 meters on Sunday morning — remaining below its 10.36-meter at Jaleswar’s Rajghat point, officials said.
Despite receding water levels in some rivers, authorities are maintaining strict watch on the situation following the formation of the fresh low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
