Bhadrak, August 5: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday visited flood-ravaged Bhadrak district and directed officials to ensure swift relief, restoration and coordinated response in all affected areas.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Collectorate Conference Hall, Parida directed officials to restore road connectivity on priority basis, ensure adequate availability of cattle feed, achieve 100 per cent distribution of dry food and safe drinking water in marooned villages, and deploy additional medical teams to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

She instructed officials to engage ASHA and Anganwadi workers to intensify public awareness campaigns on health and hygiene.

She further directed the Water Resources and Rural Development departments to closely monitor vulnerable embankments and undertake immediate repair works wherever required.

Stressing the need for an integrated response, she asked all departments and public representatives to work in close coordination to effectively manage the flood situation.

Officials briefed the Deputy CM on the current status of water levels in the Baitarani, Salandi and Akhuapada rivers, the condition of flood-affected villages, breached embankments, damaged culverts and bridges, functioning of shelter centres, community kitchens, distribution of dry food and drinking water, public health services, veterinary care, supply of fish seed and cattle feed, crop losses, road connectivity and restoration of electricity etc.

Bhadrak MLA and Chairman of the District Planning Board, Sitanshu Sekhar Mohapatra, Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Additional District Magistrate Rabinarayan Sahu, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Subhendra Samal, Superintendent of Police, Sub-Collector Saurabh Chakraborty and other senior district officials attended the meeting.

Prior to the review meeting, Parida visited Barsar and Gobindpur villages in Tihidi block to assess the ground situation and interact with local residents and assured them of all possible assistance and support.