Odisha Govt Ramps Up Relief Efforts as Floods Impact Balasore and Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: Amid rising water levels in northern Odisha, the state government has intensified flood management and relief efforts in the affected regions, particularly in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday assured that the government is fully prepared to deal with the evolving situation and is working in close coordination with multiple departments.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Minister Pujari said over 1,100 people have already been evacuated from vulnerable and low-lying areas. “Temporary shelters have been established with provisions for food, drinking water, medical care, and other essential services,” he said. Special focus is being given to the needs of children, women, and the elderly in the relief camps.

The Minister confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored, with river levels in Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga under continuous surveillance. While Budhabalanga’s water level has begun to recede, Subarnarekha continues to rise gradually due to inflow from Jharkhand and nearby regions.

To bolster response efforts, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed in flood-prone areas of Keonjhar, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj, with two additional teams dispatched to Balasore. Fire services personnel are also engaged in rescue operations in inundated villages. Alerts have been issued in sensitive areas, and more teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on standby, ready for deployment if required.

“The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. We are in constant touch with district collectors and local administrations to ensure timely response,” Pujari said. He urged citizens in the flood-affected areas to remain calm and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.

Minister Pujari, along with Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, reviewed the flood situation during a high-level meeting earlier in the day. They assessed field reports and the progress of evacuation and relief measures.

The Minister added that rainfall in upstream areas has subsided, and current weather conditions are allowing smooth discharge of floodwaters into the Bay of Bengal. Although downstream areas continue to receive light rainfall, the administration is hopeful that the situation will stabilise in the coming days.

Reports from the ground indicate waterlogging in several low-lying villages, especially in the Basta block of Balasore and the Udala region of Mayurbhanj district. Relief materials, including cooked and dry food, have been distributed to affected families since Sunday.