Bhubaneswar, Sep 27: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday directed collectors of 17 districts to remain on high alert as heavy rainfall, triggered by a fresh low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, could cause flash floods in urban and low-lying areas.
Chairing a high level review meeting from Jharsuguda via video conference, Majhi asked collectors to ensure round the clock functioning of district and block level control rooms and to keep emergency response teams ready.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for 17 districts, with Koraput, Malkangiri, and Kalahandi likely to face the heaviest impact. Fourteen others, including Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Puri, Cuttack, and Kendrapara, are also under watch.
The Chief Minister directed officials to deploy ODRAF and Fire Service units in vulnerable areas, maintain strict vigil on weak embankments, and ensure urban local bodies prepare for drainage of stormwater in waterlogging-prone zones. He also asked collectors to identify hilly areas vulnerable to landslides and to pay special attention to Malkangiri district.
Multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters have been stocked with food, medicines, animal fodder, and other essentials. Majhi instructed that people in vulnerable low-lying areas be shifted to shelters and provided cooked meals if necessary.