Bhubaneswar, July 29: Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday directed all the district Collectors to remain alert as she reviewed the State’s preparedness to tackle the flood situation.

Chairing a meeting with the all the Collectors via video conferencing, the Chief Secretary asked them to remain on high alert and continuously monitor the situation.

It was revealed in the meeting that officials are keeping a close vigil on the situation throughout the night yesterday.

As Baitarani is flowing above the danger level, the Chief Secretary directed round-the-clock patrolling along the embankment and low-lying areas. Many people are being evacuated to safer places, and cooked food is being provided to those affected.

People facing any difficulties have been instructed to contact the control room so that immediate assistance can be provided.

As Baitarani is flowing above danger level at Anandpur, major flood is expected to occur by today evening prompting authorities to issue alert for Jajpur, Bhadrak & Chandbali.

Similarly, flood threat also looms large in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts as Jalaka and Salandi rivers are also rising.

However, there is no major flood threat in Mahanadi.

Extremely heavy rain in north Odisha has been recorded in the last 24 hours.

Yesterday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, reviewed the situation and said the next 24 hours remained crucial for the three north Odisha districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur due to a rise in water levels in rivers triggered by heavy rainfall induced by a deep depression.

Over 1 lakh people were affected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts, while the Government has so far evacuated around 25,000 people from low-lying areas, sources said.

Teams of ODRAF, NDRF and fire service personnel have already started rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

The Odisha Government has deputed three senior IAS officers to Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur to strengthen flood preparedness and oversee relief and restoration measures as the flood situation in north Odisha remains critical.

According to an official order, Sudhansu Mohan Samal, Managing Director of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), has been deputed to Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCS), to Balasore, and Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy to Jajpur.