BHUBANESWAR: Over 100 villages were marooned after Arnab-induced torrential rains caused floods in Ganjam district and triggered more than 10 landslides in Gajapati and Kandhamal, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari said on Saturday.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pujari said Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal were among the worst-affected districts due to the severe impact of the cyclone.
“More than 100 villages were marooned, with floodwater rising to the first-floor level in several locations, forcing residents to take shelter on rooftops. The Centre has extended immediate assistance, with four Naval helicopters pressed into service to airlift and distribute relief materials in the affected areas after collecting supplies from Gopalpur,” he said.
Purjari said flash floods severely affected urban areas, particularly Berhampur and Aska. The situation has improved considerably, with water levels declining in these areas. “The nearly dry weather over the past two days has helped us restore normalcy in the affected areas to a large extent,” Pujari said.
Highlighting the challenges posed by landslides, the minister said more than 10 locations witnessed such incidents in Gajapati and Kandhamal. In Kandhamal, a major landslide washed away a family residing in a hilly region along with the debris.
With forecasts indicating the possibility of another cyclonic storm, the government is making adequate preparations, taking into account the prevailing situation, Pujari added.
Special relief commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal received extremely heavy rainfall following the cyclone. Around seven blocks across Ganjam and Gajapati received excessive rainfall, he said. The flood situation in Ganjam is gradually improving, with the Rushikulya river now flowing below the danger mark. While water remains stagnant in some locations, the administration has established communication with all affected villages except one. Relief materials are being air-dropped to residents of the village, Patil said.
Cooked food is being provided in all affected villages, urban areas and wards. As many as 367 relief camps are currently operational in Ganjam, accommodating over 39,619 people. The total number of people affected by the floods in the district is estimated at around 1,05,622.
In Gajapati, 21,782 people have been affected by heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone, with 340 relief camps operated in the district, he said.