Evacuation Drive Launched In North Odisha Due To Flood Situation After Cyclone

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has launched an evacuation drive in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts due to flooding in some areas and risk of more localities getting inundated owing to rise in water level in Budhabalang River caused by heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Dana, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.

He said 20 vills under six gram panchayats of Remuna and Balasore Sar blocks in Balasore district have alrey been affected by floods.

" evacuation drive is underway on a war footing," he said, while briefing media about post-cyclone situation.

Stating that flood situation was created in Budhabalang River due to heavy rain in Similipal Hills in Mayurbhanj district owing to cyclone, Majhi said residents were being moved to safer locations and provided with hygienic cooked food at shelters.

So far, 10,500 people – 2,500 from Remuna and 8,000 from Balasore Sar -- have been evacuated to safety, CM said.

Meanwhile, officials in Water Resources Department said that vills near Budhabalang River in Betanati block of Mayurbhanj district were facing a flood-like situation as water from overflowing river has entered several farmlands.

Similarly, heavy rain has led to water logging in many vills in Dhamnagar area of Bhrak district. Kapali and Reba rivers are in a spate in Bhrak district and water is flowing above three feet on Bhrak-Ari Ro.

Water Resources Department engineer-in-chief C S Phi said water level in Budhabalang was flowing above warning signal but below danger mark.

chief minister said apart from rescue teams of NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services and police, state government has also engd panchayat functionaries and officials in evacuation operation.

Majhi said that both Balasore and Mayurbhanj district ministrations have been provided with power boats to expedite evacuation and rescue operation.

" government is constantly monitoring flood situation and I appeal to people t to panic as all efforts are being me to tackle it," he said.

chief minister said that three districts of Kendrapara, Bhrak and Balasore have been worst hit in Cyclone Dana and standing crops and power supply have been impacted in a big way in se districts.

He said though ro and telecom communication in worst-affected areas have been restored, some people were yet to get electricity supply as restoration work was affected due to heavy rainfall during day.

CM said that so far, 92 per cent of electricity consumers in affected districts have been provided with power connection.

chief minister said that a total of 8,09,513 people were evacuated to safety during cyclone and of m, only 1,10,770 people were still staying in different relief camps and shelters.

y can stay in relief camps till water recedes from ir areas, he said, ding that district ministrations are making proper arrangements for food.

He said that Cyclone Dana has caused dam to about 2 lakh acres of agricultural land and assessment will begin as soon as rain stops and water recedes from vills