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Bhubaneswar, October 30: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts of Ganjam and Gajapati today to assess the ground situation following sudden floods triggered by heavy rainfall. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari will accompany him. A central government team is also expected to visit the two districts shortly to assess the extent of the damage.
On Thursday, Minister Suresh Pujari held a series of high-level review meetings to monitor the flood situation in Ganjam and Gajapati. Chief Secretary Anu Garg also chaired a review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre operating under the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office.
Senior officials, including the Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, SRC, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department and Engineer-in-Chief, participated in the review meetings.
Rescue and relief operations intensified
The minister expressed confidence that the situation would return to normal soon. Ministers and senior officials have been deployed in the affected districts to supervise rescue and relief operations.
In areas where strong water currents have made it difficult for NDRF and ODRAF teams to reach stranded people, aerial rescue operations are being carried out in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. Helicopters are being used to airlift people to safer locations.
The government has also ensured the supply of cooked food, drinking water and other essential necessities to affected residents.
According to the latest official updates:
Ganjam: 45 ODRAF teams, 7 NDRF teams and 24 fire service teams have been deployed. A total of 922 vulnerable villages have been identified, and powerboats have been kept ready for emergency operations. Around 550 pregnant women have been evacuated through rescue boats.
Gajapati: 12 ODRAF teams, 1 NDRF team and 12 fire service teams have been deployed. Authorities are monitoring barrages, streams and drainage systems across seven blocks. Around 420 pregnant women have been evacuated.
Rayagada: 11 fire service teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations, while 236 pregnant women have been shifted to safer locations.
Authorities are also keeping a close watch on Kalinga Ghati and various rivers to prevent further emergencies.
Nine districts affected by heavy rainfall
According to Minister Pujari, heavy rainfall has affected nine districts of Odisha, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Kandhamal.
A total of 59,028 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to safer locations.
Ganjam and Gajapati are among the worst-affected districts.
The district-wise evacuation figures are as follows:
Relief and rescue arrangements have also been made in other affected districts.
84% Power Supply Restored in Affected Areas
Restoration of electricity has been given priority in flood-hit areas. Out of 316 affected 33 kV power stations, electricity supply has been restored at 298 stations.
The government has reported that approximately 84% of the power supply has been restored in the affected regions.
Thousands of villagers affected in Ganjam and Gajapati
During the morning review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, officials reported that:
In Ganjam, 299 villages across 22 blocks have been affected.
In Gajapati, 711 villages across seven blocks have been affected.
Approximately 42,500 people in Ganjam and 20,000 people in Gajapati have been affected by the floods.
In Ganjam district, around 2,328 people from 70 villages were reportedly stranded by floodwaters.
The state government is continuing rescue, evacuation and relief operations on a war footing. The Chief Minister’s aerial assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the damage and help authorities plan further relief and rehabilitation measures.
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