Bhubaneswar: Over eight lakh people have been affected due to floods in different parts of Odisha and the government is closely monitoring the situation, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Saturday.
After making an aerial survey of some flood-affected areas, the Chief Minister said more than 2.69 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to safer places as the government ensured swift rescue and relief operations.
Majhi, accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, conducted aerial survey of flood-affected areas across five districts to assess the extent of damage and monitor ongoing rescue and relief operations.
The survey covered more than 12 blocks affected by flooding. Several villages continue to remain marooned as swollen rivers inundated low-lying areas following heavy rainfall.
The Chief Minister said the water level in the Mahanadi and other rivers started receding and expressed hope that the flood situation would come under control within the next two days.
Stating that the government is keeping a close watch on the situation, he said all departments are on alert and working in coordination to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation.
The government has opened around 700 relief centres, where cooked food is being served regularly for the affected people. Medical teams have been deployed in the field to prevent outbreaks of water-borne and other communicable diseases, said Majhi.
The Chief Minister said the state government has already released Rs 26 crore for relief and emergency response measures.
Once floodwaters recede, district officials will submit detailed damage assessment reports within 72 hours, following which immediate financial assistance will be provided to eligible beneficiaries, CM Majhir announced.
He also directed authorities to undertake the immediate repair of breached embankments and damaged roads to restore connectivity in the affected areas.
Preparations have also begun for post-flood management, with special emphasis on preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring sanitation, restoring essential services, and speeding up rehabilitation efforts.
The Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department has been instructed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of crop losses, adding that the full extent of agricultural damage would become clear after the preliminary survey.
The recent floods, triggered by incessant rainfall and rising river levels, have affected several districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and Khordha. Authorities said all emergency response teams remain on high alert as relief and restoration work continues across the affected regions.