933 Villages, 1,971 hc Farmland Affected, 321 Houses Damaged In Malkangiri

Bhubaneswar : As per preliminary estimates 933 villages, 1,971-hectare farmland have been affected and 321 houses damaged in Malkangiri district under the impact of the low pressure induced heavy rain between August 13 and 17, informed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi here today.

Briefing reporters here after holding a high-level meeting with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), district officials, local MP, MLAs and Zilla Parishad representatives to take stock on the flood-like situation in the district, Marndi stated that officers have been asked to submit final damage assessment report within seven days following which the government will release funds as per norms.

“Though SRC has informed that his office is prepared to release funds within 48 hours of receipt of assessment report we have allowed them seven days’ time to properly examine the report and release funds so that people are benefited,” the Minister said.

He informed that the district has recorded an average rainfall of 463.20 mm rainfall between August 13 and 17.
The Minister admitted that inundation has been reported in some places while roads have been damaged in some places.

He added that sand casting has been reported in some places, lift irrigation projects have been damaged in many places and would require repair.

On the issue of submergence of bridges on national highways in the district during heavy rains, Marndi said that he will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and take up the matter with higher authorities of the Central Government for raising the height of the bridges.

“So far on the bridges under the purview of the State Government, I have asked the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) to submit a report highlighting the issue so that raising the height of these bridges can be taken up. The problem of half the area can be solved by this,” the Minister pointed out.