Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (UNI) – The Odisha Government has allocated ₹170.30 crore in multiple releases from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support relief camps and emergency response initiatives as several districts grapple with flooding and waterlogging due to heavy rainfall caused by a low-pressure system.
As of Monday morning, officials reported that the overall situation remained manageable, with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) maintaining continuous monitoring and coordinating with district emergency operation centres.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that the low-pressure area affecting northern coastal Odisha and nearby regions has shifted towards Gangetic West Bengal and is expected to continue moving northwest over the next 24 hours.
Isolated areas in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Boudh are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and wind gusts of 40-50 km/h.
Additional heavy rainfall is anticipated in various other districts as well.
Odisha reported an average rainfall of 32.9 mm in the last 24 hours, with the Joda block in Keonjhar recording the highest at 169.4 mm.
From August 1 to 24, cumulative rainfall reached 327 mm, representing an 18.6% increase over the average, while total rainfall from June 1 has reached 1,083.2 mm, which is 32.1% above normal levels.
As of Monday morning, the Baitarani River at Akhuapada and the Jalaka River at Mathani were both flowing slightly above the danger mark.
The flooding and waterlogging have impacted two blocks in Balasore, three in Bhadrak, five each in Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Kalahandi, and one in Koraput.
Relief camps have been set up in the affected districts to assist those in need.
To bolster rescue and relief efforts, 67 teams from ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire and Emergency Services have been deployed, including 15 from ODRAF, eight from NDRF, and 44 from Fire and Emergency Services.
The government has also distributed 1,562.81 metric tonnes of cattle feed to the impacted districts.
Local administrations have been instructed to stay vigilant regarding waterlogging, flooding, landslides, and potential damage to roads, vulnerable structures, and crops.
Residents are advised to seek safer locations during lightning events and to heed weather advisories. Additionally, fishermen are cautioned against venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast and adjacent areas.
The SEOC continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate relief and rescue efforts statewide, according to officials.
