Bhubaneswar, July 30 (UDN) : Nearly six lakh people across five districts have been affected by the ongoing flood situation in Odisha, with Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore emerging as the worst-hit districts, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Thursday.
Reviewing the flood response, the Minister informed that 1.65 lakh people have already been evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to safer locations. The state government has also opened 464 relief camps, where food, drinking water, healthcare and other essential services are being provided to the displaced families.
Residents who continue to remain in waterlogged areas are receiving dry food packets and other emergency supplies. The Minister urged people living in low-lying and flood-prone regions to immediately move to designated relief centres for their safety.
Pujari directed all district collectors to ensure that no affected family is deprived of relief assistance, stressing that humanitarian support must remain the top priority during the crisis.
He also noted that after days of incessant rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a temporary improvement in weather conditions, with no major rainfall expected over the next three days. This, he said, is likely to help improve the flood situation gradually.
The Minister instructed officials to conduct comprehensive damage assessment surveys within three days after floodwaters recede. He asked the administration to carry out the exercise with compassion, ensuring that every eligible beneficiary is covered under government assistance.
“Saving human lives is our highest priority. Damage assessment can wait, but relief and rescue cannot,” the Minister said while directing officials to remain on high alert until normalcy is restored.
To ensure the safety of evacuated families, collectors have also been asked to strengthen security in vulnerable villages through police deployment and encourage reluctant residents to shift to safer places.
Special emphasis has been laid on maintaining quality food, safe drinking water, sanitation and healthcare services in relief camps, particularly for children, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
In view of the increased risk of snakebite during floods, the government has directed health authorities to maintain adequate stocks of anti-venom and deploy medical teams in affected areas. Families returning home after the floodwaters recede will also receive tarpaulins and other essential relief materials.
The Revenue Minister reiterated that all departments have been instructed to work on a war footing to protect lives, restore normalcy and ensure timely relief reaches every flood-affected household.
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