The current spells of heavy rains have not only created havoc in Sambalpur and suburbs but also made an all time record of 622 mm rainfall received in 12 hours in Burla.
Since rains started on Saturday afternoon and got intensified in the night, the misery of the people crossed every limit. And the darkness due to the prolonged power cut only added to their woes.
However, the entire administration, NGOs, social activists, line officials and leader of all political parties swung into action immediately and shifted more than 3,000 people to nearby shelter centres in schools, clubs and apartments, ensuring a safe stay in the night.
Due to the heavy rainfall throughout the night, most of the low-lying areas with slum dwellers were marooned and their housea damaged. In areas like Modipara and Ambiranagar, rainwater also entered high cost buildings.
“The administration worked on a priority basis to save lives and shifted people to safer places. They were provided adequate quantity of food throughout the day,” said district Collector Samarth Verma.
Morning tea, biscuits, Chuda and Gur and cooked food wwere provided from the kitchen located inside the Maa Samaleswari Temple.
Even in some centres, mineral water was provided to children. At the same time, District Headquarters Hospital doctors were formed into groups and moved to all shelter centres to provide health services to sick persons and children in particular.
Police and ODRAF teams played very vital role in rescuing people near Gosala in a dangerous situation. “Due to the timely action, many people could save their lives.
However, one Annapurna nag (26) died due to drowning in Kalamati GP near Gosala. One person was missing in Rairakhol,” informed District Emergency Officer SK Pujari informed.
It is seen that the water level in most of the drains, nallas, and even Padas have been receded as the quantity of rainfall has decreased remarkably. But people are still panicked due to their horrible experience of Saturday night. “Cooked food will be provided to more than 6,000 people in all the shelter centres,” said the Collector.
He further informed that financial assistance would also be provided to those people whose houses have been damaged fully or partially.