Flood Situation Improves Gradually in Jajpur; CE Behera Inspect Breach Sites
By Akshya Rout
Jajpur/Odisha,Aug 27 : The flood situation in Jajpur district is gradually improving, even as thousands of people remain affected in several low-lying areas. Senior officials of the Water Resources Department on Thursday inspected major breach sites and directed field personnel to expedite repair and restoration work.
Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department Harekrushna Behera and Superintending Engineer Ratnakar Dalai visited the breach near Patana and reviewed the ongoing repair efforts. Two major breaches have occurred following a rise in water levels in the Baitarani and Kani rivers.
A breach in the Kani river embankment was reported near Gandakul Patana village under Tarapada panchayat in Dasarathpur block. Another breach occurred in the Baitarani river embankment near Naubanka village under Jari panchayat in Binjharpur block, allowing floodwater to enter nearby villages.
Officials said permanent restoration of the damaged embankments would be difficult until the water level recedes sufficiently. However, efforts are being made to undertake repairs at the earliest possible opportunity.
During an inspection of the breach repair work near Pattanasaahi in the Kani river basin, Behera held discussions with Dasarathpur BDO Akash Pattnaik, Superintending Engineer Ratnakar Dalai, Assistant Engineer Antaryami Mohanty, Junior Engineer Arun Kumar Tripathy and other officials responsible for the restoration work.
Behera said continuous flooding had hampered repair operations, but the Water Resources Department was making every possible effort under challenging conditions. With no major rainfall expected over the next three to four days, officials have been instructed to undertake quality restoration of the damaged embankments.
Although water levels in the Baitarani and Kani rivers have started receding, residents in the worst-affected areas continue to remain apprehensive.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, two blocks, 20 gram panchayats and 67 villages in Jajpur district have been affected by the floods. A total of 1,12,099 people have been affected, while 71,665 people remain marooned.
The district administration has intensified rescue and relief operations. So far, 41,360 people have been evacuated to safety and accommodated in 87 relief shelters. As many as 87 free kitchens are supplying cooked food to the affected population.
Ten medical teams have also been deployed in the flood-hit areas to provide healthcare services. Floodwaters have damaged infrastructure across the district, with around 68 roads, bridges and culverts reportedly affected.
Power supply has been disrupted for 13,478 consumers. As many as 2,674 tube wells used for drinking water have been submerged, of which 1,745 have already been disinfected.
The administration is continuing to provide relief materials, food, drinking water, medical assistance and other essential services to affected residents. Restoration of damaged infrastructure is also being undertaken in phases as the flood situation improves.
