Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall caused by persistent low-pressure systems and deep depressions over the Bay of Bengal triggered severe flooding across multiple districts in Odisha. Continuous precipitation in the state alongside excessive inflow from upper catchment areas in neighbouring Chhattisgarh forced water reservoirs, including the major Hirakud Dam, to open multiple sluice gates to release floodwaters downstream. This massive discharge swollen key river systems, including the Mahanadi, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, Jalaka, and Budhabalanga, causing rivers and their tributaries to overflow and inundate surrounding regions.
The surge of floodwaters has severely impacted over 20 districts, with Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Cuttack, and Puri bearing a significant burden. Hundreds of low-lying villages and agricultural tracks have been submerged, cutting off access roads and stranding thousands of residents. State reports indicate that over 2.7 lakh to nearly 7 lakh citizens have been impacted during peak flood spells, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands who were evacuated to temporary shelter homes.
Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an extensive ground visit to the flood-affected areas across vulnerable northern districts, including Jajpur and Bhadrak, to assess the worsening flood situation. Accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and senior administrative officers, the Chief Minister visited heavily impacted localities such as the Dasharathpur block in Jajpur. During his visit to the Kasapa and Tarapada gram panchayats, he directly interacted with affected villagers to listen to their grievances and gain a firsthand understanding of the structural damage, crop losses, and widespread disruption caused by overflowing local rivers.
During his inspection, Chief Minister Shri Majhi reviewed damaged river embankments and sites where breaches occurred, urging officials to accelerate temporary repair work and bolster weak stretches along major river systems. To ensure streamlined disaster response operations, the state government assigned senior, experienced officers to oversee emergency relief and rescue efforts directly in the worst-hit districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur. Furthermore, nearly ninety specialized rescue teams—comprising the National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and state Fire Services—have been deployed alongside speedboats to evacuate trapped villagers and navigate flooded pockets.
Addressing the public and district administrators during his visit, Chief Minister Shri Majhi emphasized that human safety and the swift delivery of emergency relief remain the administration’s highest priorities. He strictly instructed local officials to ensure uninterrupted supplies of cooked meals, safe drinking water, essential medicines, and halogen tablets in all relief shelters. Warning that any delay or negligence in relief operations would not be tolerated, the Chief Minister reassured affected communities that the state government stands firmly with them and will provide comprehensive assistance for rehabilitation and damage recovery once the floodwaters recede.