Flood Fury / Kendrapada Floods: 300 Students Rescued from Ashram School

Kendrapada, Aug 19: Kendrapada district is facing a worsening flood situation as the Brahmani river experiences its second surge, inundating villages and farmland.

Among the most dramatic developments was the rescue of 300 students from an Ashram school at Kulasahi village in Penthapal panchayat under Pattamundai block.

The school had been surrounded by floodwaters for four days, forcing students to remain confined to the first and second floors for safety.

Also read: Odisha Floods Worsen, Another Low Pressure Looms

With water levels stabilizing, the district administration, acting on the Collector’s orders, launched a coordinated rescue operation. Seven teams comprising ODRAF and Fire Services personnel reached the school by power boats and safely evacuated all students.

They were later shifted to another residential school at Mahadei. Medical teams conducted health check‑ups to ensure their well‑being after days of confinement.

“The administration was on alert for four days. On the first day of the flood, girls were shifted to the second floor and boys to the first floor,” said Sheetal Agrawal, BDO, Pattamundai.  

“Today, as per the Collector’s decision, all students have been moved to Mahadei Ashram School. After bringing them by boat, buses carried them to the new location,” she added.

The broader flood situation in Kendrapada remains grim. Six blocks and 66 gram panchayats are affected, with 151 villages and 11 wards of Pattamundai municipality under water. Over 2.23 lakh people have been impacted.

Relief measures have been stepped up, with 18 shelter camps housing 3,350 people, including 1,235 currently staying in seven camps. Twelve free kitchens have been opened, six of which are operational today, serving meals to more than 3,300 beneficiaries.

Relief materials including 205 quintals of flattened rice, 16.7 quintals of jaggery/sugar, biscuits, baby food, and other essentials have been distributed. On Wednesday alone, 122 quintals of rice and 15.2 quintals of flattened rice were supplied.

Six SRC power boats, 117 country boats, and 10 mechanized boats have been deployed for rescue and relief.

Health services are being provided through 16 medical teams, while five veterinary teams are attending to livestock. Floodwaters have submerged 112 roads, cutting off connectivity in several areas.

At Alava, Gopalpur, and Akhuapada, water levels remain above danger marks, while Mundali is discharging 1.60 lakh cusecs of water.

With rivers still swollen and vast areas submerged, the administration continues intensive rescue and relief operations to protect lives and livelihoods.