Odisha prepared for possible floods: SRC

Bhubaneswar, Jun 9: With the IMD predicting above normal rainfall in the state during the upcoming monsoon season, the Odisha government today began preparations of possible floods. "As the IMD has predicted about 113 per cent rainfall during this monsoon, we expect floods in Odisha.

Therefore, we have already started preparation to face the impending eventuality," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Mohapatra told reporters after the Chief Secretary reviewed preparedness ahead of the monsoon.

Earlier, the IMD had predicted arrival of monsoon in Odisha during the second week of June, Mohapatra said, adding ten more units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) would be added to the existing ten units.

He said a mock drill to verify the preparedness for the floods would be organised in all 30 districts on June 19. Mohapatra said flood and cyclone shelters would be kept ready for the eventuality. Gram panchayat heads were appointed as chairmen of the shelter managing committees, the SRC said, adding today's meeting also approved the State Disaster Management Plan for 2016.

The plan stated that due to sub-tropical littoral location of Odisha, the state is prone to tropical cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis. It has a 480-km coastline along with 11 major river systems. "Its densely populated coastal plains are the alluvial deposits of its river systems.

The rivers in these areas with heavy load of silt have very little carrying capacity, resulting in frequent floods, only to be compounded by breached embankments," the plan paper said.

PTI