The district administration on Friday maintained high alert as the rivers were swelling due to incessant heavy rains. Although the two major rivers, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga, were flowing the below the danger levels, the Jalka was at 6.1 meters near Mathani against the red mark of 5.5 meters.
RDC (Central) Arabinda Padhee is camping at Baleswar to monitor the situation arising out of the fresh flood threat and to supervise the relief and restoration works. While the Baleswar district administration had sought four NDRF unit on Thursday apprehending a massive flood, three of them moved to Ganjam district, which is already reeling under a serious impact of the floods.
The present rains have been causing severe hurdles for the relief and restoration works following the earlier bout of floods. Till Thursday, only 28,000 polythene sheets, cash assistance of Rs 2.9 core and 24,560 quintals of rice could be distributed among the victims. Reports of protests and agitations over poor relief operations were received from several parts of the district. The complaints mainly were that polythene sheets are not given to the genuine and needy people; even rich and influential people are grabbing the benefits; and discrimination is made on political ground.
RDC Padhee said, “The objective now is to finish the first-phase relief distribution as early as possible. The difficulty is the fresh incessant rains. It may continue for another couple of days. The relief is given without any discrimination. I have instructed the Superintendent of Police to book those who are hindering relief distribution under the National Security Act. Even, from some areas, we have got the names of miscreants.” A Central team is likely to visit the district on Monday and visit some affected areas and have a review meeting before leaving for Baripada, he said.