Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday carried out an aerial survey of flood-affected regions across five districts to assess the extent of damage and review ongoing rescue and relief measures as the flood situation remained serious in several parts of the state.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil during the survey, which covered more than 12 flood-affected blocks. Several villages remain cut off due to inundation caused by overflowing rivers following heavy rainfall.
Speaking to the media after the survey, Majhi said that although many villages continue to remain submerged, the overall flood situation is showing signs of improvement. He expressed confidence that water levels would recede significantly within the next two days.
The Chief Minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed officials to complete a comprehensive damage assessment within three days after floodwaters recede. Based on these reports, immediate assistance will be extended to farmers, families whose houses have been damaged, and other affected residents.
The aerial inspection covered Dasarathpur, Bari and Binjharpur blocks in Jajpur district; Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari and Chandbali in Bhadrak; Soro, Remuna and Balasore Sadar in Balasore district; Badasahi, Udala and Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj; and Hatadihi block in Kendujhar district.
Majhi also said that the government is closely monitoring the flood situation in Puri district and is coordinating with ministers and senior officials to ensure prompt relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Reaffirming the state’s “Zero Casualty” disaster management policy, the Chief Minister stated that nearly eight lakh people have been affected by the floods, while around 2.69 lakh people have been safely evacuated to secure locations.
To strengthen rescue operations, the state has deployed 17 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 129 teams of the Fire and Emergency Services in the affected districts.
Around 700 relief centres and shelter camps have been set up to provide accommodation, cooked meals, dry rations, safe drinking water and medical assistance to displaced families. Senior officials have been stationed in the affected districts to oversee rescue, relief and restoration work.
The Chief Minister further informed that the state government has released ₹26 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Essential supplies, including polythene sheets, dry food, cooked meals, drinking water and medicines, are being distributed to affected families.
Majhi also directed authorities to repair damaged roads on priority and restore connectivity in flood-affected areas. He stressed the importance of maintaining strict surveillance to prevent outbreaks of water-borne and other diseases in the aftermath of the floods.
He credited timely warnings, continuous monitoring and coordinated efforts by various government departments for preventing major loss of life and reducing the impact of the disaster.
With river water levels gradually receding, the Odisha government has shifted its focus towards rapid damage assessment, restoration of infrastructure, evaluation of agricultural losses and post-flood rehabilitation, while continuing relief operations across the affected districts.
The recent floods, triggered by incessant rainfall and rising river levels, have impacted several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Khordha. Authorities said all emergency response teams remain on high alert as relief and restoration work continues in the flood-affected regions.
