Berhampur Gradually Returns to Normal; Municipal Corporation Extends Helping Hand to Flood-Hit Asika
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
150 Sanitation Workers Deployed for Post-Flood Clean-up; 20,000 Candles and Matchboxes Sent as Relief
Sunday Holiday Cancelled; Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy Monitors Restoration and Relief Operations Hourly
Brahmapur, November 1: Life in Brahmapur city, which was severely affected by incessant rainfall, is gradually returning to normal, even as the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has extended a helping hand to flood-ravaged Asika in Ganjam district.
As part of its humanitarian assistance, the BeMC has dispatched 20,000 candles along with matchboxes to Asika to support flood-affected families. In addition, around 150 sanitation workers from the Corporation have been deployed in Asika to undertake post-flood cleaning and garbage clearance operations.
Meanwhile, post-disaster restoration and recovery operations are continuing on a war footing in Brahmapur. On Saturday, personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services continued tree-clearing operations at several locations across the city to remove obstructions and restore normalcy.
With the situation gradually improving, many people who had taken shelter in temporary relief centres have returned to their homes. However, the Corporation continued to provide food assistance to those still staying in the shelters.
Arrangements were made for lunch for 680 people and dinner for 170 people. Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners visited different shelters to inspect food quality and other essential arrangements. They also shared meals with the people staying there as part of their inspection.
Relief distribution is also continuing in low-lying, waterlogged and peripheral areas of the city.
Meanwhile, disruption to water supply from the flood-affected Janibili drinking water project has led to complaints from several localities being received at the Corporation’s control room. In coordination with WATCO authorities, the BeMC arranged drinking water through tankers in areas including Gandhi Nagar, Dhanamera Sahi and Khaja Sahi. The Commissioner has assured residents that all necessary steps will be taken to address public grievances and ensure essential services.
In a significant administrative decision aimed at accelerating restoration work and clearing pending official tasks, Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy has cancelled the Sunday holiday on November 1. The Municipal Corporation office will remain open, and all employees have been directed to attend duty.
Departmental officials have also been instructed to intensify drain-cleaning operations and undertake a proper assessment of the damage caused by the recent rainfall and flooding.
Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy is closely monitoring the restoration, sanitation, relief and essential-service operations, with hourly monitoring to ensure that the ongoing measures are implemented effectively and normalcy is restored at the earliest.
