Floods Impact Over 11,000 in Odisha; Relief and Rescue Efforts Intensify Across Six Districts

Bhubaneswar: Widespread flooding triggered by continuous light to moderate rainfall over the past few days has affected six districts in Odisha—Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundergarh, and Keonjhar—displacing thousands and prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations.

According to official estimates, more than 11,000 people have been impacted by the floods. In Mayurbhanj and Balasore alone, over 1,000 people have been evacuated and housed in nine temporary relief shelters.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Deoranjan Kumar Singh held a virtual review meeting today with the Collectors of affected districts and senior officials from the Water Resources Department to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.

District administrations have intensified rescue operations, focusing on the safe evacuation of affected families and ensuring timely distribution of essential relief materials. Special Relief Commissioner Singh informed that multiple rescue teams have been deployed in the worst-hit areas. Balasore district currently has five ODRAF teams, one NDRF unit, and 26 fire and emergency squads in action. Mayurbhanj is being supported by one ODRAF team and 23 fire service units. Bhadrak has one ODRAF, one NDRF, and 13 fire teams, while Jajpur has been assigned one ODRAF and 14 fire teams. A total of 106 boats are currently being used for evacuation and relief delivery across the flood-hit districts.

While water levels in most rivers are gradually receding, the situation remains critical in Balasore due to rising water levels in the Subarnarekha river. Authorities have increased night patrolling and are maintaining close vigil in vulnerable areas.

Efforts are also underway to ensure clean drinking water in forested and rural pockets through water purification arrangements. Adequate stock of anti-venom serum has been secured as a precautionary health measure. The government has assured that cooked food and other essentials will be made available as long as required.

Additional Relief Commissioner Manish Agarwal has been deputed to Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur to supervise ground-level operations. OSDMA Executive Director Kamal Lochan Mishra and Additional Relief Commissioner Padmanav Behera are also actively coordinating the ongoing response along with senior officials from the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to remain alert and cooperate with officials as the state works to mitigate the impact and restore normalcy.