Government Fails in after-cyclone Food Management: Opposition

Bhubaneswar: With  several districts of Odisha affected by  floods that followed cyclonic storm Titli, the Opposition has criticised the inefficient management of the state government inspite of timely IMD forecast on October 9 on Titli.BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra ridiculed saying, “This shows the state government’s tall claims are artificial. They have completely failed to take stock of the situation which is why people in several districts of Odisha, especially in CM Naveen’s Ganjam district are grappling with flood situation.”

 Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik took to Twitter and said, “BJD is patting its own back by saying they have handled CycloneTitli well but this is far from reality. Truth is that govt was caught napping despite several warnings from Met Dept. Thousands are stranded in affected areas. They must be helped immediately.”

Sources said flood-situation is expected to normalise soon as river-water levels have started to decrease slowly  since yesterday. However, situation in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts still remains vulnerable where the remote areas have been cut off due to the incessant rains that followed the cyclonic storm Titli.

As many as 14 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed in various districts, said sources.

Also, two Indian Navy helicopters from Vishakapatnam have been pressed into action to expedite the relief and rescue operations.

Reports further claimed Ganjam district has been worst affected by the flood waters with places including Bhanjanagar, Sorada, Dharakote, Aska, Purushottampur and Seragada still marooned.

Meanwhile, water is flowing above danger level in Budhabalanga and Baitarani Rivers.

As per reports, Budhabalanga is currently flowing at 8.22 metres against the danger mark of 8.13 metres at Barunighat in Balasore, as a result of which, low lying areas of Sadar block have been inundated. Baitarani River, on the other hand, is flowing at 18.03 metres against the danger mark of 17.83 metres near Akhuapada in Bhadrak district.

Sources said three-member ministerial committee constituting Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, Water Resources Minister Niranjan Pujari and Energy Minister Sushant Singh have left for Ganjam to monitor rescue, relief and restoration operations in the district. The committee’s first meeting is likely to be held in Chatrapur to decide on the future course of action.