Devastating floods in Odisha impact nearly seven lakh people and damage crops across 24,000 hectares. Relief operations and damage assessments are underway
OdishaPlus Bureau
The devastating floods sweeping across Odisha have damaged standing crops over more than 24,000 hectares and affected nearly seven lakh people across 19 districts, according to preliminary estimates released by the State government.
The official death toll rose to five after two more people died in separate wall-collapse incidents in Rayagada and Dhenkanal districts. Unofficial reports, however, suggested the toll could be six, with another fatality reported from Angul district.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Keonjhar districts to assess the extent of the damage. He was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Arabinda Padhee, and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
According to official figures, 100 blocks, 503 gram panchayats, 1,460 villages and 11 urban local bodies (ULBs) have been declared flood-affected.
Pujari said Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar were the worst-affected districts. More than 1.99 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations as rescue and relief operations continue.
The minister said the flood situation in northern Odisha is expected to improve gradually as rainfall has subsided in the upper catchment areas of the Baitarani, Brahmani, Budhabalanga and Jalaka rivers. However, he cautioned that a medium flood is likely in the Mahanadi owing to heavy rainfall in its upper catchment.
Officials said around nine lakh cusecs of water were expected to pass through the Mundali barrage by Friday night. The discharge at Mundali on Thursday night stood at 8.5 lakh cusecs.
Preliminary crop damage assessments indicate that Jajpur has suffered the maximum agricultural losses, with standing crops damaged over 20,206 hectares, followed by Mayurbhanj, where 3,754 hectares have been affected.
Among the districts, Bhadrak has emerged as the worst-hit in terms of population, with more than 4.11 lakh people affected and nearly 1.2 lakh residents shifted to safer places. Balasore has reported over 1.46 lakh affected people, while Jajpur has recorded 1.37 lakh flood-hit residents.
Assuring assistance to all affected families, the minister directed district authorities to complete assessments of crop and house damage within three days of the floodwaters receding so that compensation could be disbursed without delay.
To support displaced families, the State government has opened 534 flood shelters, while nearly 1.5 lakh people are receiving cooked meals through free community kitchens operated by district administrations as relief operations continue.