Bhubaneswar:
Severe flooding triggered by incessant rainfall has wreaked havoc across several districts of Odisha, displacing thousands and prompting a large-scale rescue and relief operation. According to official estimates, over 11,000 people have been affected, with districts such as Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Sundergarh, and Keonjhar bearing the brunt of the disaster.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), D.K. Singh, confirmed that the floodwaters were primarily caused by rising water levels in the Subarnarekha, Baitarani, and Jalaka rivers, all of which have swelled beyond danger levels due to continuous and heavy rainfall over the past few days.
Rescue operations have been intensified across the state. Approximately 1,000 people have already been evacuated from high-risk zones and relocated to cyclone shelters and temporary relief camps. Those rescued have been provided with cooked meals, dry ration kits, clean drinking water, and other essential supplies.
To support these efforts, five teams each from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Fire Services Department have been deployed in all affected districts. As many as 106 rescue boats are currently in operation to reach stranded families and distribute relief materials.
Government Response: Relief & Vigilance
The Odisha government has mobilized all available resources to safeguard lives and minimize property loss. Emergency services have been bolstered with measures including, Night patrolling in flood-prone areas, Continuous rescue operations and relief distribution, Supply of safe drinking water and essential medicines, Special provision of anti-venom kits in snakebite-prone zones etc.
-OdishaAge
