Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has evacuated around 30,000 people from flood-prone areas and intensified relief and rescue operations as heavy rainfall continued to impact large parts of the state, with five districts bearing the brunt of the deluge.
The evolving flood situation was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Chief Secretary Anu Garg. Senior officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management, Health, Water Resources and other departments assessed rescue operations, river conditions, medical preparedness and weather forecasts.
Officials informed the meeting that Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar remain the worst-affected districts. Floodwaters have affected 44 blocks, 243 gram panchayats and 748 villages, while heavy rainfall has also impacted parts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati and Malkangiri.
The Minister said district administrations have been working continuously to shift vulnerable residents to safer locations and ensure timely assistance. Relief centres have been equipped with cooked food, drinking water, dry rations and other essential facilities, with special arrangements made for women, children and senior citizens. Women police personnel have also been deployed at the shelters to strengthen security.
Medical preparedness has been enhanced in the affected districts with deployment of health teams, adequate stocks of essential medicines and anti-snake venom, and MBBS doctors stationed at every Primary Health Centre (PHC) to provide emergency healthcare.
Officials said 226 villages continue to remain waterlogged, although water has started receding in several areas, particularly in Balasore district, allowing many displaced families to gradually return home. Police patrolling has been intensified in relief camps and vulnerable locations to maintain law and order.
The meeting also reviewed the river situation. Officials informed that rainfall has resumed in the upper catchment areas of Chhattisgarh. Two gates of the Hirakud Dam remain open, while the reservoir continues to operate within safe limits. The Water Resources Department is closely monitoring inflows, and any additional release of water will be made only after technical assessment.
The government has initiated damage assessment of houses and assured that financial assistance to affected families will be provided as per existing norms.
The Minister and senior officials expressed condolences over the death of a Fire Services personnel who died due to electrocution while engaged in rescue operations. Pujari directed authorities to extend immediate assistance and all admissible government benefits to the bereaved family.
In view of forecasts predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall, Bargarh, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts have been placed on high alert. District administrations have been instructed to keep rescue teams, emergency equipment and relief materials ready for immediate deployment.
The state has positioned 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), along with around 60 Fire Services teams, across vulnerable locations. Senior IAS officers have also been assigned to oversee field operations in the worst-affected districts.
As a precautionary measure, district collectors have been authorised to close educational institutions in affected areas wherever necessary, while all government officials have been directed to remain on duty to ensure uninterrupted disaster management operations.
Pujari said the state government is maintaining constant coordination with all district administrations. He added that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who is currently in New Delhi on official engagements, has been continuously monitoring the flood situation and reviewing preparedness measures.
Appealing to people to remain alert, the Minister advised citizens not to enter flooded areas or attempt to cross overflowing water bodies. He urged residents to cooperate with local authorities, move to relief centres when advised and contact the emergency helpline 112 for any assistance. The government reiterated that protecting human lives remains its highest priority and assured that all necessary rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures would continue until normalcy is restored.
