Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Sept 9: On Monday, the Odisha government deployed DG (Fire Services & Home Guards) Sundhansu Sarangi, Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi, and DIG (Southern Division) Charan Meena to oversee disaster management efforts in Malkangiri, which has been isolated from Koraput due to relentless rains.
This decision followed a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, where preparedness measures were reviewed with DC-cum-ACS, Water Resources, ADG Law & Order, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), and other senior officers from OSDMA and related departments.
According to the SRC, floodwaters are overflowing all bridges from Pangam to Motu Road in Malkangiri, impacting road communication at eight locations. Six villages in Malkangiri and Kalimela blocks have been affected, with 504 individuals evacuated and sheltered in four relief camps. Two ODRAF units have been deployed in the district.
In Koraput, 36 villages across Jeypore, Boipariguda, Kundra, Borigumma, Semiliguda, and Koraput blocks are experiencing severe impacts. Floodwaters have partially damaged 150 houses and disrupted road communication from Digapur to Kundra, particularly over the Biri Nadi bridge. Communication has been cut off at six points. A total of 56 people have been relocated to two relief camps and are receiving cooked food. One ODRAF unit is deployed in Koraput.
