Malkangiri: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi along with the Special Relief Commissioner conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Malkangiri on Tuesday and informed that a detailed report has been sought from the district collector within seven days following which compensation will paid to the affected-farmers in 48 hours.
After the aerial survey, a meeting was held with the collector and other senior officials of the district administration to review the current flood situation in the district. An interim report that was submitted to the Revenue Department mentioned that 933 villages in the district have been affected by flood. While 321 houses have been damaged, 1,971 hectares of farmland have been affected, the report stated.
Marndi informed the media that compensation will be paid to all affected farmers within 48 hours of receiving the detailed report.
“As per the preliminary reports, there has been extensive damage to some roads as well as farmland. Even there are a lot of lift irrigation projects that need immediate repair,” said Marndi.
Cautioning the authorities on the impending low pressure which is likely to bring more rainfall in the district, Pradeep Jena, the Special Relief Commissioner said, “I have asked all the concerned collectors to remain alert and take steps to minimize the impact.”
As per the latest reports, the rainfall has subsided, but the flood situation remains grim in some parts of the district. The reason behind the swelling of the Saberi and Sileru river in the district is said to be slow discharge of water into Godavari river.
Reduction in rainfall however restored communication lines and road network in some parts of the district. The submerged bridge over Kankarkonda river became fully operational today. Road communication between Malkangiri and Balimela has been restored after the flood water receded from bridges in Pangam, Poteru and MV-37.
Incessant rainfall over the past few days has not only affected Malkangiri but other districts like Dhenkanal and Bhadrak have also been among the worst affected.
Farmland in no less than 14 panchayats in Dhenkanal district’s Bhuban and Gondia blocks have been inundated by rain water.
“I have taken a loan for farming, but unfortunately the rain has destroyed everything not once but twice this year,” a farmer in Dhenkanal said.
Similarly thousands of hectares of farmland under 15 panchayats of Bhadrak district have been affected by rain. Almost 200-feet-long stone-fortified embankment on Genguti river near Rameshwarpur under Dhamnagar block collapsed in rain sending the locals into panic. The villagers alleged that the stone-fortification was weak and demanded an inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, the weatherman predicted more rain in the coming days. As per weather expert, Umashankar Das, “The entire state may witness light to moderate rainfall from tomorrow onwards. Northern parts of the state are very likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall.”
Meanwhile, Hirakud dam authorities have opened 20 sluice gates through which 3,22,950 cusecs of water are being released from the reservoir.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
Also Read:
Odisha Flood: Family Carries Dead Body On Shoulders Through Waist-Deep Water
Low Pressure-Induced Rainfall Triggers Flood-Like Situation In Odisha