Bhubaneswar: After conducting an aerial survey of the areas hit by heavy rain and flood on Wednesday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that 81 villages of three districts have been affected.
During the aerial review, the Chief Minister assessed the flood situation in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts. He was accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) D K Singh.
After the survey, the Chief Minister told reporters in Bhubaneswar that more than 30,000 people across 81 villages in eight blocks of these three districts have been affected by flood. As many as four blocks in Balasore, two blocks in Bhadrak, and two blocks in Jajpur districts have been affected,
Stating that the flood situation in the state is fully under control, Majhi said relief operations are underway in the worst-affected areas.
Severely affected blocks in Balasore district are Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi, and Jaleswar, while Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari blocks of Bhadrak are badly hit. Also affected are Jajpur and Dasharathpur blocks of Jajpur.
The Chief Minister said cooked and dry food is being distributed in all affected areas. Altogether 5869 people have been evacuated from vulnerable places and shifted to safe shelters. Over 10,000 people are being served two hot meals a day. Cooked food would be provided for at least seven days in the affected areas.
District Collectors have been instructed to submit damage assessment reports at the earliest to ensure timely compensation.
Majhi assured that all necessary support will be provided to those who have suffered property or livelihood loss, and added that the state government is prioritising a ‘zero casualty’ approach during flood response and rescue operations.
The CM further emphasised that areas where houses have been damaged will receive appropriate compensation, and the administration is working in close coordination with local officials to ensure swift and effective delivery of aid.
This was CM Majhi’s first aerial survey of the current flood situation since heavy rains caused rivers such as Subarnarekha, Baitarani, and Jalaka to swell, impacting several low-lying areas.
Relief camps, emergency response teams, and healthcare services have been activated to support the affected populations.