Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari today conducted a comprehensive review of the flood situation, directing the officials to speed up the relief and rescue operations in the state.

Following the serious situation in Ganjam and Gajapati districts caused by sudden flooding following heavy rain due to cyclone Arnab, the Revenue Minister emphasised that the administration must reach every affected person and ensure the timely delivery of all necessary services and assistance.

He directly monitored rescue and relief operations throughout the day through virtual interactions from the Control Room of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office.

He assured the affected people that the State Government and the entire administrative machinery stood firmly by their side. He appealed to the public to remain calm, cooperate with the administration and prioritise their safety.

The Revenue Minister has been in regular telephonic contact with the Ministers, senior officers and local public representatives deployed in the affected districts to obtain updates on the ground situation.

In locations where strong water currents have prevented teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) from reaching affected people, aerial evacuation operations have been undertaken to move them to safer places. In the vulnerable areas of Ganjam district, people are being evacuated in phases using Coast Guard helicopters. Cooked food, drinking water and other essential arrangements have been ensured for those affected.

Heavy rainfall in southern Odisha

Under the influence of cyclone Arnab, Ganjam and Gajapati districts have experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall. Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district recorded 462.4 mm. Several locations across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts also recorded extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm.

As many as 45 ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams and 24 Fire Service teams have been deployed in Ganjam district. Arrangements have been made for 110 permanent shelters, along with several temporary shelters.

In Ganjam district, 922 vulnerable villages have been identified, of which 299 villages across 22 blocks have been affected. Four SRC powerboats have been deployed, and rescue operations are continuing using boats. A total of 550 pregnant women have been shifted to safer locations, and 293 institutional deliveries have been recorded. Continuous monitoring is being undertaken at Kalinga Ghati and along various rivers.

In Gajapati district, 12 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 12 Fire Service teams are on standby. Permanent and temporary shelters have been arranged and relief materials have been kept ready.

In the seven blocks of Gajapati district, 119 vulnerable villages have been identified, while 711 villages have reportedly been affected. Continuous monitoring is being carried out at Gotta Barrage, Badanala and drainage systems. The water level of the Vamsadhara River stands at 52.5 metres, well below its danger level of 54.10 metres. Seven rescue boats have been deployed. A total of 420 pregnant women have been shifted, and 33 institutional deliveries have been recorded.

In Rayagada district, 11 Fire Service teams have been deployed. A total of 134 shelters, comprising three permanent and 131 temporary shelters, have been arranged, with adequate relief materials in stock. As many as 148 vulnerable villages have been identified, and three SRC powerboats have been stationed at Gunupur, Gudari and K. Singhpur. The administration has shifted 236 pregnant women to safer locations, and 86 institutional deliveries have been recorded. Necessary arrangements have also been made in other affected districts.

Rescue and relief operations across the state

Ganjam district has the highest deployment, with 45 ODRAF teams and seven NDRF teams, taking the total to 52 specialised response teams. In Gajapati district, 12 ODRAF teams and one NDRF team, totalling 13 teams, are operational.

Across the state, 60 ODRAF teams and nine NDRF teams have been deployed to ensure public safety. In addition, 244 Fire and Emergency Services teams are working across Odisha to clear roads by removing fallen trees, restore connectivity, conduct rescue operations and evacuate people from vulnerable locations. All rescue teams are working round the clock.

The Minister informed that heavy rainfall has affected Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Kandhamal districts.

A total of 59,028 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, and 830 shelters have been arranged to accommodate them. Ganjam and Gajapati are among the worst-affected districts. In Gajapati district, 17,441 people have been evacuated, and 298 shelters have been opened. This is followed by Malkangiri, where 15,477 people have been evacuated; Ganjam, with 11,882 evacuees; and Nabarangpur, with 10,519 evacuees.

In Koraput district, vehicular movement on the Pattangi–Galigabdar road had been disrupted due to flowing floodwater but has since returned to normal. In Gajapati district, heavy rainfall led to road closures at four locations in Mohana, Udayagiri and Rayagada blocks. Water levels are being monitored, and necessary restoration work has commenced. Moderate rainfall continues in Ganjam district.

The State Government is maintaining heightened vigilance and accelerating relief and rescue operations to address the impact of the floods and heavy rainfall.

Impact on Railway Services and Power Supply

In the Visakhapatnam Division, several locations along the Ichchapuram–Jhadupudi section of the railway line have been inundated. Consequently, nine trains have been cancelled or suspended, while 14 trains have been diverted. Several affected trains have also been stranded at five locations in Odisha. As per the directions of the Hon’ble Revenue Minister, necessary measures are being taken to assist the affected passengers.

Restoration of electricity supply in affected areas across the State has also been accorded high priority. Of the 316 affected 33 kV substations, power supply has been restored at 298 substations. Approximately 84 per cent of the affected electricity connections have been restored. Under the direct supervision of the Hon’ble Revenue Minister, efforts are continuing to ensure the early restoration of essential services and basic amenities.