Flood Fury / Centre Releases Rs500 Crore to Odisha for Flood Relief

Bhubaneswar, Aug1: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah approved the advance release of Rs500 crore from the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Odisha, strengthening the State’s ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation measures, officials said on Saturday.

The allocation is part of a larger package of Rs2,117.85 crore sanctioned for seven flood-affected States during the southwest monsoon of 2026, they added.

Odisha had already received the first instalment of SDRF for the financial year 2026-27. In view of the urgent need for resources, the Union Home Minister cleared the advance release of the second instalment, ensuring timely availability of funds for relief operations. The Centre also relaxed documentary requirements under applicable guidelines to expedite assistance.

Officials said the additional Rs500 crore will support relief camps, evacuation efforts, medical services, and restoration of essential infrastructure in districts severely impacted by floods. The Odisha government has already mobilised ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire Service teams, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assigned Cabinet ministers to oversee relief and rehabilitation in different districts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that the Government of India has been closely monitoring the flood situation across States in coordination with State Governments. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been pre-deployed, while the Ministry of Defence has extended logistical support wherever required. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have already visited Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with another team being constituted for Nagaland.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre remains committed to extending all necessary assistance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure effective relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures,” he stated.

With this approval, Odisha joins Himachal Pradesh in receiving the second instalment of SDRF, while Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat and Maharashtra have been sanctioned advance releases of their first instalments.