Relief Operations Intensified in Flood-Hit Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar, October 30: Efforts to tackle flooding in parts of Odisha have been stepped up after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the affected Ganjam and Gajapati districts on Friday.

Heavy rain associated with the cyclonic storm 'Arnab' has inundated several villages, trapping thousands of people. Waterlogging and landslides have also damaged roads and other infrastructure across south Odisha.

The scale of the impact is significant. Ganjam has 42,564 affected residents, Gajapati has 30,000, and Kandhamal has 12,000.

Authorities have moved people living in high-risk and low-lying zones to safer areas, while relief camps have been set up for those displaced by floodwaters.

In a statement issued through his official X handle, Chief Minister Majhi said, “Ensuring the safety of the people of the state during a disaster is my foremost responsibility.”

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari accompanied the Chief Minister during the survey.

Majhi said the administration was working around the clock to ensure uninterrupted delivery of food, drinking water and essential health services. He said officials had been directed to accelerate rescue and relief operations.

The administration has also been told to stay fully alert on several fronts, including repairing damaged roads, restoring power supply and managing health problems that may emerge after the floodwaters recede.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the state government stands firmly with the people and remains committed to helping flood-affected families in every possible way.

He appealed to residents to stay strong, remain in safe locations, follow the instructions of local administration and rescue teams, and help one another. “Together, we will soon overcome this crisis,” Majhi said.