Vishakapatnam-based Naval base today undertook the job for rescue and relief operation in flood-affected Rayagada district

Bhubaneswar:17/7/17: A chopper from Vishakapatnam-based Naval base today undertook the job for rescue and relief operation in flood-affected Rayagada district even as the state government agencies are struggling hard to cope with the exigencies of the situation.

With the devastating flood washing away as many as five bridges including a rail bridge, communication breakdown in eighty percent of flood-ravaged Kalyansinghpur block has badly affected the rescue and relief operation since yesterday.

The district administration had limited resources and manpower at its disposal. As a rescue and relief was practically non-starter.  With flood water marked by strong current, it was not possible to rescue the stranded people through boats by the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services. Only the areas less affected by flood could be covered for relief and free kitchen accordingly began yesterday.

With the deployment of chopper, rescue and relief operation has received the much-needed boost. We are expecting arrival of four more Indian Air Force helicopters today. Besides the contingent of NDRF is arriving to streamline the relief and rescue work, said Rayagada Collector, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar.Air-dropping of food packets and relief materials has resumed by the naval aircraft, she added.