Odisha Floods: 3.7 Lakh Evacuated as 9.4 Lakh People Affected Across Six Districts

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has intensified its flood response as more than 3.70 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations across six affected districts, with the overall number of people impacted by the floods crossing 9.40 lakh, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.

The floods have affected 1,381 villages in 74 blocks of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar and Kendrapada. The state government has expanded relief and rescue operations in the affected areas, with hundreds of shelters opened to accommodate displaced residents.

As many as 550 relief camps are currently operational, where people are being provided cooked food and other essential services. The government is also maintaining close watch on the situation and stepping up assistance wherever required.

For rescue and emergency operations, the state has deployed 45 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 65 Fire Services teams across the six districts. The teams are engaged in evacuation and emergency response, particularly in areas where people remain stranded or vulnerable to rising floodwaters.

Majhi said the administration would continue to remain with the affected people throughout the crisis and ensure that necessary assistance reaches them.

“Ours is a government of the people. Whatever disaster may come, we are with the people in their joys and sorrows and will remain so,” the Chief Minister said.

Rainfall 34% above normal

Explaining the unusual flood situation, Majhi said Odisha had experienced exceptionally high rainfall during June, July and August.

The state has recorded over 1,100 mm of rainfall during the three-month period, which is around 34% above normal. According to the Chief Minister, such an abnormal rainfall pattern has not been witnessed in Odisha in the last 25 years.

The excessive rainfall has intensified flooding in several parts of the state, necessitating large-scale evacuation and deployment of additional rescue personnel.

Majhi takes stock of ground situation

The Chief Minister visited Jajpur and Bhadrak on Monday to assess the extent of flooding and review the relief and rescue operations.

During his field visit, Majhi travelled through affected areas by road, boat and on foot and interacted directly with residents. In Jajpur, he visited villages under Kasapa and Tarapada panchayats of Dasarathpur block, while in Bhadrak he visited villages under Shyamsundarpur panchayat of Tihidi block.

He also reviewed arrangements at relief centres and inspected the quality of cooked food being served to displaced residents at Ramachandrapur school in Jajpur.

In Bhadrak, Majhi visited the relief shelter at Dapanaakani school, where he took stock of facilities available to the displaced population. He interacted with residents and sought feedback on the availability of relief materials and other essential assistance.

The state government has directed concerned departments and district administrations to maintain close coordination and ensure uninterrupted rescue, relief and essential services in all affected areas.