Odisha CM and Revenue Minister to conduct aerial survey of flood situation in Ganjam and Gajapati, central team will also visit

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari are scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of the cyclone and flash flood affected areas in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.

Pujari, who reviewed the situation throughout the day at the State Emergency Control Room located within the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) also informed that a central team is also set to visit Ganjam and Gajapati districts to assess the conditions. The Central Government remains in constant touch with the State Government and is providing all necessary support, he mentioned.

The Minister stated that, by the immense grace of Lord Jagannath and through the concerted efforts of all, the flood situation will return to normalcy very soon. The State Government and the entire administrative machinery stand firmly by the side of the affected people, providing them with constant support and protection. He also appealed to the public to remain fully assured, cooperate with the administration, and stay safe.

The Revenue Minister is in regular contact—via telephone—with the Ministers and senior officials currently stationed in the affected districts, as well as with local public representatives.

Furthermore, Pujari has coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard to arrange for the evacuation of people stranded by floodwaters in the affected areas using helicopters. In affected areas where strong water currents have made it impossible for NDRF and ODRF teams to reach, people have been airlifted to safety.

In Ganjam district, affected individuals stranded in high-risk locations are being evacuated to safe places in phases using Coast Guard helicopters. Arrangements have been made to ensure the availability of cooked food, drinking water, and other necessities for the affected population.

Under the influence of Cyclone Arnab, Ganjam and Gajapati districts have experienced extremely heavy rainfall. A total of 546 mm of rainfall was recorded at Patrapur in Ganjam district, while 462.4 mm was recorded at G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district. Similarly, many areas across Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal districts have recorded rainfall exceeding 200 mm—categorized as ‘extremely heavy’ rainfall.

As of now, 45 ODRAF teams, 7 NDRF teams, and 24 fire service teams have been deployed in Ganjam district. Furthermore, 110 permanent shelters—along with several temporary shelters—have been arranged, and initial relief supplies, including flattened rice (chuda), jaggery, and rolls of polythene, have been provisioned.

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In Ganjam district, 922 vulnerable villages have been identified (with 299 villages across 22 blocks being affected), and 4 power boats provided by the SRC (Special Relief Commissioner) have been deployed. Rescue operations are underway using these boats, and 550 pregnant women have been relocated (with 293 institutional deliveries facilitated). Continuous monitoring is being maintained at the Kalinga Ghat and along various rivers.

Similarly, in Gajapati district, 12 ODRAF teams, 1 NDRF team, and 12 Fire Service teams are on standby; arrangements for both permanent and temporary shelters have been made, and relief materials have been kept ready. In Gajapati district, 119 villages are identified as vulnerable (with 711 villages affected), and the Gota barrage, Badnala, and drainage systems are being monitored. The water level in the Vamsadhara River is 52.5 meters, which is well below the danger mark (54.10 meters). Seven rescue boats have been deployed, and 420 pregnant women have been relocated (resulting in 33 institutional deliveries).

In Rayagada district, 11 fire service teams have been deployed; 134 shelters (3 permanent and 131 temporary) have been arranged, and there is an adequate stock of relief materials. A total of 148 vulnerable villages have been identified, and three SRC power boats have been stationed in Gunupur, Gudari, and K. Singhpur, supported by all necessary operational arrangements. The administration has relocated 236 pregnant women (resulting in 86 institutional deliveries). Similar arrangements have also been made in other districts.

In Ganjam district, a total of 52 teams—comprising 45 ODRAF teams and 7 NDRF teams—have been deployed. In Gajapati district, 13 teams—consisting of 12 ODRAF teams and 1 NDRF team—are currently operational.

Across the entire state, a total of 69 teams (60 ODRAF and 9 NDRF) have been deployed to ensure the safety of the public. Similarly, a total of 244 Fire and Emergency Services teams have been deployed across the state to clear roads by removing fallen trees, restore connectivity, and carry out rescue and evacuation operations. All rescue teams are working round-the-clock (24×7).

The Minister informed that the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Kandhamal have been affected by heavy rainfall. A total of 59,028 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas to safe locations, for which 830 shelters have been arranged.

Ganjam and Gajapati districts are the most severely affected by the floods. In Gajapati district, 17,441 people have been evacuated, for whom 298 shelters have been opened. Following this, 15,477 people have been evacuated in Malkangiri, 11,882 in Ganjam, and 10,519 in Nabarangpur. In Koraput district, traffic was disrupted due to floodwater flowing over the Pattangi-Galigabadar road; however, the situation has now returned to normal.

In the Mohana, Udayagiri, and Rayagada blocks of Gajapati district, heavy rainfall led to the closure of roads at four locations; water levels are being monitored, and necessary restoration work has commenced. Moderate rainfall continues in Ganjam district. In view of the floods and rainfall, the State Government is exercising caution and accelerating relief and rescue operations.

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