Rescue and relief operations are being undertaken on a war footing and more measures are being initiated to expedite relief distribution in the flood-ravaged Mayurbhanj district, said RDC (Northern) Dr PK Meherda.
Addressing a Press meet here on Wednesday, Dr Meherda said in total, 2,38,853 people have been affected due to Phailin and the ensuing flood in the district and almost all the people deluged by floodwater have already been evacuated with help of two NDRF teams, five ODRAF teams, three special relief teams and seven fire brigade teams.
Among others, district Collector Rajesh Pravakar Patil, Mayurbhanj SP, District I&P Officer RK Nayak and other officials were present. Dr Meherda said that in order to provide immediate relief to the rescued, 225 free kitchens have been opened in Baripada Municipality where 14,000 people have been provided with cooked food. Besides, by Wednesday, 928 rolls of polythene, 675 quintals chuda, 102 quintals guda, 20 quintals sugar had already been provided to the affected families, he added.
Also 1,60,000 halogen tablets have been distributed for purification of drinking water. In addition, 62,000 pouches of drinking water and 33 water tankers have been sent to the affected areas to provide drinking water to the people. Subsequently, water supply had been restored in a majority of the areas under Baripada Municipality except Wards 1, 6, 7, 9, 20, 4, 8 till Tuesday night, the RDC said. Water supply to other localities were restored on Wednesday evening.
likewise, electricity supply has been restored in most of the areas in Baripada. Regarding sanitation, eight teams have been engaged to clean the town, Dr Meherda said, adding health camps would be held everyday from Thursday onwards in severely affected areas. The RDC also hinted at extending Dussehra vacation of educational institutions till return of normalcy to the district. Necessary steps would be taken for distribution of free study materials among the affected students and to issue the voter I-cards.
Expressing concern over rising prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, he said steps would be taken to stabilise it by Friday.