Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey and visited flood-affected areas on Sunday as heavy rainfall caused flooding and waterlogging across 13 districts. More than one lakh people have been moved from low-lying areas to over 500 relief centres.
Majhi inspected affected areas in Koraput and interacted with residents to understand their difficulties. He also visited a relief camp at Chandili School, where he reviewed food arrangements and spoke with residents, officials and local representatives.
The Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure timely access to food, purified drinking water, emergency medical services and other essential assistance.
He later chaired a review meeting in Jeypore covering the situation in Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.
Officials said more than one lakh people have been shifted from vulnerable areas and sheltered at over 500 relief centres.
Balasore accounted for 67,266 people after flooding affected more than 3.5 lakh residents in the district.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department said families staying at relief shelters would receive food, ration, clothes and other essential items for 15 days.
The rising level of the Mahanadi has emerged as another challenge following heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas and the release of excess water from the Hirakud reservoir.
As many as 28 gates of Hirakud Dam were opened. Officials said around seven lakh cusecs of water was expected to reach Mundali near Cuttack on Sunday night, potentially increasing to eight lakh cusecs by Monday morning.
Authorities warned that the increased flow could affect several tributaries and lead to inundation in parts of Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.
Officials were instructed to drain stagnant water from agricultural fields. Technical teams will assess drainage requirements and recommend measures to help farmers resume cultivation after floodwaters recede.
Authorities also discussed providing advance compensation or assistance to affected people according to applicable norms.
Heavy rainfall and flooding have affected districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj.
The Subarnarekha was flowing above its danger level at Rajghat in Balasore, resulting in flooding in several blocks. Authorities also temporarily closed Devkund in Similipal National Park after streams and water channels rose significantly.
