Bhubaneswar, October 30: President of India Droupadi Murmu on Friday spoke to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the telephone to take stock of the situation in the wake of devastating floods triggered by Cyclone Arnab.

During the conversation, the President enquired about the prevailing situation in Odisha and expressed concern over the people affected by the cyclone and flooding.

More than 1,000 villages in Ganjam and Gajapati districts bore the brunt of cyclone Arnab which induced pelting rains and triggered flashfloods in two major rivers - Vansadhara and Rushikulya - of south Odisha.

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She also sought information about the well-being of displaced families and those who have suffered due to the natural calamity.

“President Droupadi Murmu spoke with Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha telephonically and enquired about the situation in the State in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab. She also enquired about the well-being of the people displaced and those affected by the cyclone and subsequent floods,” Rashtrapati Bhavan posted on ‘X’.

Chief Minister Majhi expressed gratitude to the President for her concern and support for Odisha during this difficult time.

“Grateful to Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji for her concern and support for Odisha in the wake of Cyclone Arnab. Her encouragement and support further strengthen our resolve to ensure the safety and well-being of every Odia,” Majhi posted on ‘X’

Meanwhile, Odisha government on Friday deployed four helicopters to airdrop food packets at 21 inaccessible locations in Ganjam, the worst-hit district after Cyclone Arnab. Heavy post-cyclone rain left 386 villages, 242 gram panchayats and 18 urban local bodies waterlogged in Ganjam, said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Pujari made an aerial survey of the worst affected areas of Ganjam and Gajapati districts to assess the situation earlier today.

Hinjilicut and at Purushottampur, Sheragada, Dharakote, Aska, Bhanjanagar municipality area, Belaguntha and Chikiti of Ganjam were badly hit by the floods.

Meanwhile, President Murmu’s scheduled three-day visit to Odisha from November 3 has been cancelled. Earlier, Murmu’s two-day visit to Odisha, scheduled to begin on October 28, was postponed due to cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’.