Bhubaneswar, July 29: The Odisha government and all district administrations are fully prepared to tackle the prevailing flood situation caused by continuous rainfall, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said after chairing a high-level review meeting on flood preparedness and response.

Appealing to the public to cooperate with the administration, the minister urged residents in vulnerable areas to avail themselves of government assistance and move to safer locations whenever advised. He also directed district administrations and all concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure public safety.

To strengthen flood management and relief operations, the government has appointed three senior IAS officers to oversee the worst-affected districts. Sudhanshu Mohan Samal has been assigned to Bhadrak, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy to Balasore, and P. Anvesha Reddy to Jajpur.

According to officials, water levels in the Baitarani River at Anandapur and the Jalaka River at Akhuapada have crossed the danger mark, while the Brahmani and Subarnarekha rivers are also being closely monitored as their water levels remain a cause for concern. Balasore recorded the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours, with Bhadrak and Jajpur also witnessing heavy rain that affected several areas.

Describing the next 12 hours as critical, Pujari directed the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office to remain operational throughout the night to monitor river levels and coordinate emergency response.

Authorities have begun evacuating residents from low-lying areas as river water continues to rise. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts, while district collectors and Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been instructed to remain on high alert.

The Police Department has intensified night patrols and deployed women police personnel to ensure the safety of women and children at relief shelters. Officials said cooked food, drinking water, and other essential services are being provided at evacuation centres. Police have also been instructed to safeguard the homes and property of displaced residents.

The Health Department, Animal Resources Development Department, and other agencies have been placed on alert. Adequate stocks of cattle feed have been arranged for livestock, while medicines and anti-snake venom have been stocked in flood-prone areas to address possible snakebite incidents.

The minister also directed officials to expedite compensation for damage to houses and agricultural land caused by the floods. The State Emergency Operation Centre is monitoring the situation round the clock and maintaining continuous communication with district emergency control rooms.

The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shubha Sharma, and other senior officials.