Bhubaneswar, July 31: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the state's flood situation with senior officials of various departments and district collectors at Lok Seva Bhawan.

Stressing that the protection of every precious human life remains the state government's highest priority, the Minister directed officials to maintain maximum preparedness and ensure coordinated efforts in flood management and relief operations.

Although rainfall has subsided in several districts and flood conditions are gradually improving, the Minister emphasized that the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), district administrations, and rescue agencies must continue working round the clock to safeguard lives and property.

He instructed authorities to closely monitor the water level of the Mahanadi River and maintain heightened vigilance in all districts located along its basin, particularly the coastal districts.

According to official figures, 15 of Odisha's 30 districts are now free from flood impacts, while the remaining 15 districts continue to experience varying degrees of flooding. The floods have affected 1,362 villages under 446 gram panchayats across 57 blocks, along with 174 wards in 11 urban local bodies. Approximately 791,846 people have been impacted, including 268,943 people in waterlogged areas. Around 21,380 hectares of agricultural land have also suffered damage.

The Minister stated that the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the SRC, and district administrations are working in close coordination to provide uninterrupted relief and rescue services.

Around 647 relief centres are currently operational, supplying both cooked meals and dry food to affected people. Special arrangements have been made for children, women, and elderly citizens, while medical teams are regularly visiting relief camps to provide healthcare services.

Adequate cattle feed is also being supplied to affected districts. Authorities are persuading residents reluctant to leave their homes to move to safer relief centres, while dry food is being delivered to those still stranded in flooded areas.

Providing an update on river conditions, the Minister said water levels in the Devi, Kushabhadra, Ib, Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Subarnarekha, Vansadhara, Rushikulya, and Jalaka rivers are gradually receding. However, the Mahanadi continues to flow slightly above the danger level. As of 9 a.m. on Friday, two gates of the Hirakud Dam were open, releasing 865,474 cusecs of water at Mundali. Subsequently, ten additional gates were opened, bringing the total to twelve.

Officials estimate that the released water will take around 40 hours to reach Mundali. Since water levels there are expected to decline by then, authorities believe the additional discharge is unlikely to pose a major threat.

Nevertheless, the Minister directed continuous monitoring of the Mahanadi in coordination with the Water Resources Department. Districts including Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, and Puri have been placed on full alert. Rescue and emergency operations are being carried out jointly by district administrations, 17 ODRAF teams, 6 NDRF teams, and 112 Fire and Emergency Service units, ensuring uninterrupted evacuation, rescue, and relief distribution wherever required.

The Minister instructed that relief camps must continue operating until floodwaters completely recede and affected areas dry up. He also warned of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases and snakebite incidents after the floods.

The Health Department has been directed to remain on high alert, with MBBS doctors, anti-venom injections, medicines, bleaching powder, and chlorine tablets stocked at all primary health centres. Citizens have been advised to drink only boiled or purified water and follow all health and hygiene precautions.

The Public Health Engineering Department has also been instructed to disinfect and repair tube wells and other drinking water sources immediately after floodwaters recede while ensuring uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water to affected communities.

A major announcement was made for farmers whose agricultural land has been damaged. District Collectors have been directed to complete damage assessments within 72 hours after floodwaters recede. The Agriculture Department and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department will conduct joint surveys, and compensation packages will be provided immediately based on district reports.

Compensation will be provided for paddy, other food crops, and vegetable cultivation. Short-duration seed varieties will also be supplied wherever necessary to help farmers resume cultivation at the earliest.

The government has further announced financial assistance for repairing flood-damaged government buildings and public infrastructure, including schools, Anganwadi centres, and health institutions. Damaged roads and bridges will also be repaired in coordination with the Works Department. In the long term, the government plans to strengthen flood-resilient infrastructure by raising the height of roads in flood-prone areas to reduce future risks.