Bhubaneswar, September 12: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday reviewed the flood situation in Malkangiri district and assessed the preparedness of the district administration to deal with the situation.
Pujari spoke to the Malkangiri Collector to take stock of the prevailing conditions and the relief measures being undertaken. Water is currently flowing over four roads in the district, prompting authorities to suspend vehicular movement on the affected stretches as a precautionary measure.
The Collector informed the minister that arrangements had been made to provide food and drinking water to drivers stranded due to the disruption. Health teams have also been kept on alert to respond to any emergency.
Pujari said the Revenue Department had sanctioned funds last year to raise the height of the four roads that frequently face waterlogging during the monsoon. He directed officials to take necessary steps to address the recurring problem and ensure that such disruptions are minimised in Malkangiri during the coming monsoon seasons.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Dilip Rout said Malkangiri district had been more severely affected by the second low-pressure system, which triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places.
According to Rout, Malkangiri and Chitrakonda recorded 192 mm of rainfall each, while Dabugam received 135 mm. The area around Balimela Dam recorded 219 mm of rainfall, he added.
