Keonjhar, August 5: Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water, and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Wednesday chaired a review meeting to assess the damage caused by the recent floods in Keonjhar district at the Circuit House here. He also reviewed the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation works being undertaken by the administration to restore normalcy.

Patna MLA Akhila Chandra Naik, SP Kusalkar Nitin Dagudu, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dhanraj HD, Keonjhar Special Development Council Chairperson Mamita Naik, Additional District Magistrate Rabindra Kumar Pradhan, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad Kumar Nagabhushan, along with other district-level officials attended the review meeting.

The meeting focused on a proper assessment of flood-related damages and relief and restoration measures being undertaken by various Government departments.

Damage assessments of flood-affected roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems, power infrastructure, agriculture, and forest areas were also discussed.

Officials briefed the Minister on the progress of the road connectivity restoration, repairs to water supply systems, deployment of emergency response teams, distribution of relief materials, and other mitigation measures in the affected areas.

The Minister appreciated the restoration works undertaken by all departments and directed officials to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, maintain close inter-departmental coordination, and remain prepared for any future contingencies.

The Minister emphasised that immediate action, continuous monitoring, and timely assistance to affected people should remain the highest priorities until normalcy is fully restored across the district.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced an initial package of Rs 110 crore for the flood-affected people in the State, based on preliminary damage reports received from the district Collectors.

According to Government, around 8,63,909 people in 22 districts have been affected by the floods even as 2,67,301 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure. As per preliminary estimates, around 3,567 houses have been damaged and crops in around 33,458.30 hectares land inundated.