Bhubaneswar, August 25: Between August 1 and 25, the State has received cumulative rainfall of 344.4 mm against the normal rainfall of 287.1 mm, which is 20 per cent above normal even as the State Government maintaining round-the-clock surveillance over the low-pressure-induced rainfall and flood situation in some parts of the State.

From June 1 to August 25, the cumulative rainfall stood at 1,100.6 mm against the normal of 831.5 mm, which is 32.4 per cent above normal.

The Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) along with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance over the low-pressure-induced rainfall and flood situation in some parts of the State. As per the situation report available up to 11 AM of today, the overall situation across the State remains under control.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand and north Odisha continues to remain active over the same region. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to about 7.6 km above mean sea level. The system is likely to move nearly northwestwards through Jharkhand and north Odisha during the next 24 hours.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph are likely in some districts of the State today. In view of this, the district administrations of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Sundaragada, Jharsuguda, Baragada, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada have been advised to remain alert.

During the last 24 hours, the State recorded an average rainfall of 17.5 mm. The highest rainfall of 162.2 mm was recorded in Barkot block of Debagada district. Four blocks recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall, while nine blocks and one urban local body recorded rainfall between 50 and 100 mm. From August 1 to August 25, the State received cumulative rainfall of 344.4 mm against the normal rainfall of 287.1 mm, which is 20 per cent above normal. From June 1 to August 25, the cumulative rainfall stood at 1,100.6 mm against the normal of 831.5 mm, which is 32.4 per cent above normal.

At present, some areas of Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada districts have been affected by floods. In Bhadrak district, 75,432 people in 70 villages under 18 Gram Panchayats of Tihidi and Chandabali blocks have been affected. In Jajpur district, 21,010 people in 41 villages under 15 Gram Panchayats of Bari, Binjharpur and Dasarathpur blocks have been affected, with 67 relief camps currently operational. In Kendrapada district, 5,475 people across five blocks, one urban local body, 11 wards, 35 Gram Panchayats and 64 villages have been affected. Thirteen relief camps are operational there.

Due to heavy rainfall, some areas of Keonjhar, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts have also been affected. In Nabarangpur district, nine blocks have been affected & 1,622 people have been evacuated and accommodated in relief camps. In Koraput, 660 people have been evacuated.

A total of 79 rescue teams have been deployed for prompt rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. These include 28 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 50 Fire Services and Emergency Services teams.

For management of relief camps and other emergency response activities in the flood-affected areas, a total of ₹170.30 crore has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in different phases. In addition, polythene packets and cattle feed have been supplied to the affected districts. A total of 1,35,725 polythene packets and 1,587.56 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied.

District administrations have been advised to remain prepared to deal with any emerging situation, address waterlogging and localised flooding in low-lying areas, closely monitor the condition of roads and underpasses, and remain alert to possible damage to vulnerable structures and kutcha roads. People have also been advised to take shelter at safe locations during lightning and to keep themselves updated with weather-related information.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) is maintaining round-the-clock coordination with all District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) and closely monitoring the situation. The situation at present remains under control.