Malkangiri: Thirty-five people including women and children were evacuated to a safer place from the flood-affected area near Saberi river on Monday. Teams from Podia and Malkangiri Fire Stations were engaged in rescue operations
Malkangiri fire officer Kumar Behera said, "We received a call from fire station that few people were trapped in the flood-waters of Saberi river near Podia. We deployed teams from Podia and Malkangiri Fire stations for the rescue operations. Rescue boats were used for evacuating people and the district administration also reached the spot."
He added, "We rescued 35 people, including women and children. Authorities shifted people from low-lying areas to safer places and relief camps."
It is to be noted that Malkangiri was heavily flooded as the depression-induced rain pounded the area, swelling up the rivers and snapping electricity. The road connectivity was cut off as rainwater overtopped the bunds and bridges in many places. Several places were devastated and telecommunication services have also been severely affected.
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Malkangiri's communication with Kalimela and Motu along the NH-326 remains affected with water flowing over bridges at Kangurukonda and Kanyashram. However, district authorities have stated that the flood situation is improving. The water is taking time to recede to the Godavari, so parts of Motu Tehsil remains flooded.
Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy reviewed the flood-like situation in Odisha with collectors of 10 districts through video conference, according to the Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena. Tripathy directed all the collectors to assess the damage caused by incessant rain and submit the reports to Jena.
Jena informed that Tripathy has directed all district collectors to remain on high alert and monitor the IMD forecast, in view of low pressure, likely to form around August 18.
"In view of the heavy rainfall in several districts, Chief Secretary Tripathy has reviewed the situation with the collectors of 10 districts, Malkangiri has received the highest 463.2 mm rainfall (average) in the past five days," Jena said.
On August 16, an orange alert has been issued in Odisha's Malkangiri district following a severe flood-like situation in several parts of the state due to incessant rains.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted that a few more places in Odisha may also receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.
With ANI inputs
