Odisha mobilizes officials to tackle flood crisis in Malkangiri and Koraput

Bhubaneswar, Sept 9: Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja today led a meeting to assess the state's flood response in Malkangiri and Koraput, prompted by continuous heavy rains since Saturday. The meeting, which included the DC-cum-ACS, Water Resources officials, ADG Law & Order, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), and senior OSDMA representatives, focused on reviewing flood preparedness.

Following the meeting, the state government assigned DG of Fire Services & Home Guards Sundhansu Sarangi, Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi, and DIG (Southern Division) Charan Meena to support the Malkangiri district administration in managing the situation and restoring normalcy.

According to a press release from the SRC, floodwaters have submerged bridges from Pangam to Motu Road in Malkangiri, disrupting road access at eight locations. Six villages in Malkangiri and Kalimela blocks are affected, with 504 people evacuated and housed in four relief camps. Two ODRAF units are currently deployed in the district.

In Koraput, 36 villages across Jeypore, Boipariguda, Kundra, Borigumma, Semiliguda, and Koraput blocks have been impacted. Road communication is cut off at six points, and 56 people have been relocated to two relief camps where they are receiving cooked meals.

Currently, six ODRF units are active in Malkangiri, with two units each in Koraput, Jeypore, Rayagada, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Bolangir. An additional twelve teams are on standby for five coastal and nearby districts, including Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, and Boudh.

Additionally, six NDRF units have been deployed to Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, and Nayagarh, with two more units held in reserve.