Hans News Service
Bhubaneswar
TheOdisha government on Wednesday rejected the Opposition’s charge that the widespread flooding in Ganjam district following last month’s cyclone Arnab was ‘man-made’, pointing out that unprecedented rainfall over three consecutive days had caused the deluge. Asserting that there was no lapse in flood management and operations of reservoir gates, Chief Secretary Anu Garg expressed satisfaction that the State government has ensured “zero casualty” that can be attributed to the deluge.
Eleven people died in Odisha, while six were still missing in incidents linked to cyclone Arnab that made landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on October 28. The BJD supremo, Naveen Patnaik, had described the flood in Ganjam district after the very severe cyclone as “man-made” and demanded accountability for people’s suffering “caused by lapses” in the BJP government’s handling of the calamity. The former chief minister alleged that despite the weather department’s warning, the water levels of dams were not monitored.
Pointing out that standard operating procedure dictates that adequate water from dams must be released before the onset of rains, Patnaik said, “In the case of Ganjam, water from dams was released after the onset of heavy cyclonic rains. This compounded the floods and caused huge loss of life and property.”
Nixing the allegation, the Chief Secretary said, “Let me clarify, unprecedented rainfall for three consecutive days was responsible for the recent floods in Ganjam district. There was absolutely no lapse in flood management and gate operations.” After reviewing the relief and restoration works in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamala districts, severely hit by floods in the aftermath of the cyclone, she told reporters, “The visiting Central team, which also comprised a member from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, told us after field assessment that the flood was due to unprecedented rains.”
However, Chief Secretary Garg, who was also in charge of the Water Resources department during her tenure, rejected the allegations of lapses in flood management. Defending the State government’s handling of the calamity, Garg said Ganjam district witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall, with the Patrapur block recording 546 mm of rain in a day.
Rainfall was the highest in the area since 1990 and 2013. Apart from Patrapur, many places in the district received above 300 mm of rain during the period, the Chief Secretary said. Garg said ensuring the safety of water reservoirs was “supreme” for the government and explained that decisions on opening gates to discharge excess water from dams were taken in view of the situation and to ensure dam safety.
She said that 6,907 cumecs (cubic meters per second) accumulated at the Purusottampur gauge station of the Rushikulya river, which is double the water carrying capacity of the river. “As such, the dams could regulate only 10 per cent of the water that reached Purusottampur gauge station while 90 per cent flowed directly through the river. The flood was not due to the 10 per cent of the excess water, but much higher than that,” Garg said.
Admitting that the flood has caused extensive damage, the Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction that the State government has ensured “zero casualties” that can be attributed to the deluge. Odisha witnessed three successive floods in Subarnarekha, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalang, Jalaka and other small rivers in the northern parts of the State during the monsoon this year. The Opposition Congress had also blamed the BJP government for the flood in Ganjam, with former chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra alleging that lack of sincerity on the part of authorities caused people’s miseries. “Had there been effective handling of the situation, the impact of the flood could have been much less severe.”
Sunil Mohan Patnaik
Brahmapur
Thedevastating floods in Ganjam district have caused extensive damage to irrigation infrastructure estimated at Rs 334 crore, with 933 major and medium irrigation projects, 66 minor irrigation points and 2,103 lift irrigation points bearing the brunt of the disaster. The Water Resources Department has estimated that Rs 274 crore will be required to restore the damaged major and medium irrigation projects.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Dilip Rout said the floods were triggered by excessive and unprecedented rainfall, which caused a sudden rise in reservoir levels and river flows. He ruled out any negligence or operational lapses in dam management, asserting that reservoir levels were regularly monitored and water released whenever necessary.
A high-level technical team, led by the Chief Engineer, inspected flood-hit infrastructure at Janibili, Suramani, Tatabali, Padma Barrage, Jahada and Jayamangala to assess the damage and expedite restoration. Nearly 900 metres of the Rushikulya Right Canal at Suramani and another 800 metres at Tatabali have been washed away. Restoration work is underway on a war footing.
The department has submitted proposals to the State Special Relief Commissioner seeking funds for the restoration of damaged irrigation facilities. However, preliminary repair work will begin without waiting for fund approval to ensure early restoration.
Ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply to Brahmapur city from Janibili reservoir has also emerged as a priority. Temporary embankments have been constructed at damaged stretches to maintain normal water supply, while a permanent solution is expected within 10 to 12 days.
The department has simultaneously prioritised kharif irrigation to prevent further hardship to farmers. Water supply through the Ghodahada, Baghalati, Kalangadola, Dah, Baghua, Dhanai and Jayamangala canals has already commenced, while irrigation through the Rushikulya and Hiradharbatia canals is expected to resume shortly. Rout said reservoir levels, rainfall and river flows were continuously monitored. As on October 27, water levels ranged from 40.7 per cent at Ghatakeswari to 88.3 per cent at Sorada, while Dhanai reservoir had an automatic gate-opening mechanism to release excess water.
Hans News Service
Bhubaneswar
TheOdisha government on Wednesday decided to extend emergency relief assistance to all blocks in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamala districts to support households affected by cyclone Arnab. The decision follows the relief package announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, under which every affected family in all blocks of the three districts will receive 50 kg of rice and financial assistance of Rs 2,500.
In a statement, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh P Patil said the district collectors of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamala had been directed to immediately undertake enumeration and verification of eligible families to ensure smooth, transparent and timely distribution of relief. The SRC also instructed the district administrations to coordinate with District Civil Supplies Officers (CSOs) and the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) for immediate requisition and lifting of rice stocks.
The financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per family will primarily be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. In areas where banking services have been disrupted, authorised alternative modes of disbursement will be used, with proper records maintained, the statement said.
To ensure accountability and speedy implementation, the three district collectors have been asked to submit daily block-wise progress reports on rice and cash distribution to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) until the relief exercise is completed.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had alleged that the relief package announced by the State government was inadequate and demanded immediate rehabilitation of affected families.