Bhubaneswar, July 31: The flood situation in Odisha continues to remain critical, with 57 blocks across 15 districts affected by overflowing rivers and inundation, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday after reviewing the state's flood response.

Addressing the media, Pujari said the floods have impacted 446 gram panchayats, 1,362 villages and 174 wards under 11 urban local bodies. Nearly 7.92 lakh people have been affected, while 2.69 lakh people remain marooned. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing across the flood-hit regions.

The state government has set up 647 relief centres to shelter displaced families, where cooked meals, dry food, drinking water and other essential services are being provided. Arrangements have also been made at 20 locations to supply fodder for livestock.

According to preliminary estimates, nearly 21,380 hectares of agricultural land and around 700 houses have suffered damage. Assuring farmers of government support, the Minister said compensation would be released promptly after completion of damage assessment surveys.

Pujari said all major rivers except the Mahanadi are flowing below the danger level. However, rising water levels in the Mahanadi remain a concern, with 12 gates of the Hirakud Dam currently open and more gates likely to be opened to regulate inflows.

The districts of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore remain the worst affected, while collectors of Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Khordha have been placed on high alert. The Minister expressed hope that the flood situation would begin improving over the next 24 hours as water levels gradually recede.

Powered by Froala Editor