Flood Fury / Odisha Floods Affect Over Five Lakh People; CM Majhi Assures Relief, Safety

Bhubaneswar, Jul 29: Severe floods triggered by incessant rainfall and swollen rivers have affected more than five lakh people across Odisha, displacing thousands and inundating over 748 villages. At least four lives have been lost, while nearly 28,000 residents have been evacuated to safer locations in districts including Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Keonjhar, officials said on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in a post on X, assured citizens that their safety remains the government’s foremost priority. He said he is personally monitoring the situation and has directed officials to intensify relief operations. After consultations with Ministers Suryabanshi Suraj, Krushnachandra Mahapatra, and Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Majhi instructed District Collectors to remain vigilant and ensure aid reaches every affected family. “The government is always with you for your safety and service. Do not panic, stay alert, and cooperate with the local administration,” Majhi posted in Odia.

ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ବନ୍ୟା ପରିସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ରଖି ମୁଁ ସ୍ଥିତି ଉପରେ ନିରନ୍ତର ନଜର ରଖିଛି। ଆମର ମାନ୍ୟବର ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟବଂଶୀ ସୂରଜ, ଶ୍ରୀ କୃଷ୍ଣଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ମହାପାତ୍ର ଏବଂ ଶ୍ରୀ ଗଣେଶ ରାମ ସିଂ ଖୁଣ୍ଟିଆଙ୍କ ସହ ଆଲୋଚନା କରି ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ପଚାରି ବୁଝିବା ସହ ସହାୟତା କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକୁ ଆହୁରି ତ୍ୱରାନ୍ୱିତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ…

To strengthen flood management, three senior IAS officers have been deputed to oversee evacuation, relief and rescue operations in Baleswar, Bhadrak and Jajpur—among the worst-hit districts. The Special Relief Commissioner’s Office and the State Emergency Operation Centre have been directed to function round the clock to monitor river levels and coordinate responses.

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services and police have been placed on high alert to evacuate residents from vulnerable low-lying areas. Relief shelters have been stocked with safe drinking water, cooked food, emergency healthcare, anti-snake venom and fodder for livestock. Police have also been asked to intensify night patrolling to prevent theft and safeguard the property of evacuated families.

Also Read: Odisha Faces Severe Floods as Salandi and Baitarani Rivers Overflow; Hirakud Dam Inflow Rises

Officials have been instructed to promptly assess flood damage and ensure speedy disbursement of compensation to affected households and farmers. With large parts of northern Odisha reeling under floodwaters, the government has emphasized vigilance, coordination and swift relief to minimize hardship for affected communities.