Bhubaneswar: Amid continuous heavy rainfall and rising river levels threatening floods across Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Wednesday assured citizens that the government is maintaining round-the-clock vigilance and taking every possible measure to protect lives and property.
“The life and safety of every citizen is our topmost priority. My government and I are personally monitoring the situation arising from heavy rains and flooding in several rivers at every moment,” the Chief Minister said.
Following high-level meetings with the Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner, the state administration has been placed on maximum alert. Three senior IAS officers have been tasked with directly overseeing flood management, evacuations, and relief efforts in the worst-hit districts of Baleshwar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur. The Special Relief Commissioner’s office and the State Emergency Operation Centre are operating 24/7 to track water levels and ground conditions. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services, and police have been deployed for rescues in vulnerable low-lying areas. Emergency shelters are well-stocked with drinking water, cooked food, medical aid including anti-snake venom, and cattle feed, Majhi said in a post on X.
Police have also stepped up night patrols around evacuated homes to prevent theft, while authorities have been directed to ensure swift disbursement of compensation to those whose houses and farmland have been damaged, he further stated.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the public to stay calm: “I urge everyone not to panic. We are with you at every step. Please heed the instructions of the administration and remain safe.”
Earlier in the day, Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the prevailing flood situation, rescue and relief measures, medical preparedness, river water levels, weather forecasts and inter-departmental coordination to ensure timely response in all affected districts.
He informed that five districts — Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar — have been the worst affected due to heavy rainfall and flooding. As of afternoon, 44 blocks, 243 Gram Panchayats and 748 villages have been affected. Rainfall has also impacted parts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati and Malkangiri.
“Around 3,0000 people from the worst-affected districts have been shifted to safer locations as a precautionary measure, while evacuations have also been carried out in other vulnerable areas wherever required. Comprehensive arrangements have been made at all relief centres. Hygenic and cooked food is being served to evacuees, while dry ration is being distributed wherever necessary. Necessary arrangements have been made for children, women and elderly persons. Women police personnel have also been deployed at relief centres to ensure the safety and security of women,” he informed.
While 226 villages continue to experience waterlogging, water levels have begun receding in several locations, particularly in Baleshwar district, enabling people to gradually return home from relief centres.
These apart, medical teams have been deployed, essential medicines have been stocked, and anti-snake venom injections have been supplied to vulnerable locations. MBBS doctors have been positioned at every PHC to ensure immediate medical assistance during emergencies.
The government has also initiated assessment of damaged houses, and assistance to affected families is being processed as per the prescribed norms, the meeting was informed.
Based on the latest weather forecasts, Baragaagda, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Rayagada have been placed on high alert in view of the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. All district administrations have been directed to remain fully prepared, with rescue teams, emergency equipment and relief materials kept in readiness.
To strengthen disaster response, 17 teams of the NDRF and ODRAF and about 60 Fire Services teams, have been strategically deployed across vulnerable locations.
As a precautionary measure, district collectors have been authorised to declare closure of educational institutions in affected areas for as long as necessary, while all government officials have been directed to remain on duty to ensure uninterrupted disaster management operations.
The Minister urged people not to venture into flooded areas or attempt to cross overflowing water bodies. Citizens have been advised to cooperate with the district administration, shift to relief centres whenever advised, and immediately contact emergency services in case of any assistance. The authorities directed all citizens to dial 112 for all necessary requirements and assistance.
At least four deaths have been reported so far, primarily from Keonjhar district: an elderly man in a wall collapse, a child who drowned, and a fire services personnel who was electrocuted while on duty. Crops over nearly 7,900 hectares and hundreds of houses have been damaged, with Baleshawar and Bhadrak among the worst affected.
RIVERS IN SPATE
Meanwhile, Baitarani river remains in severe flood at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district. As of 2 pm Wednesday, it was flowing at 20.29 metres, nearly two metres above the danger mark of 18.33 metres. At the Bhadrak gauge, the river touched an extreme flood level of 13.9 metres, surpassing the previous high flood level of 13.24 metres recorded in 2022. Levels at Anandpur in Keonjhar also crossed the danger mark earlier.
Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil noted that floodwaters in the Baitarani and Budhabalang rivers are receding, though outflow to the sea has been slowed by tidal effects. “The process is expected to accelerate from Thursday,” he said, adding that evacuation is continuing as a precautionary measure in vulnerable areas.
Reviewing the river situation, officials informed that rainfall has commenced in the upper catchment areas of Chhattisgarh. At present, two gates of the Hirakud Dam remain open, and reservoir levels are well within the safe operating range. The Water Resources Department is continuously monitoring inflows and river levels, and any future release of water will be undertaken in a calibrated manner based on technical assessment.
Officials indicated that the overall river situation remains under control.
