Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas across five districts to assess the extent of damage and monitor ongoing rescue and relief operations as the flood situation remained critical in parts of the state.The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil during the survey, which covered more than 12 blocks affected by flooding. Several villages continue to remain marooned as swollen rivers inundated low-lying areas following heavy rainfall.Addressing the media after the aerial inspection, Majhi said the water level in the Mahanadi and other rivers has started receding and expressed confidence that the flood situation would come under control within the next two days.The government is maintaining a close watch on the situation. All departments are on alert and working in coordination to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation,” the Chief Minister said.According to the state government, nearly eight lakh people have been affected by the floods. So far, around 2.67 lakh people have been rescued and shifted to safer placesTo support the affected population, the government has opened around 700 relief centres, where cooked food is being served regularly. Medical teams have been deployed in the field to prevent outbreaks of water-borne and other communicable diseases.The Chief Minister said the state government has already released Rs 26 crore for relief and emergency response measures..Majhi announced that once floodwaters recede, district officials will submit detailed damage assessment reports within 72 hours, following which immediate financial assistance will be provided to eligible beneficiaries.He also directed authorities to undertake the immediate repair of breached embankments and damaged roads to restore connectivity in the affected areas.Preparations have also begun for post-flood management, with special emphasis on preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring sanitation, restoring essential services, and speeding up rehabilitation efforts.The Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department has been instructed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of crop losses, adding that the full extent of agricultural damage would become clear after the preliminary survey.The recent floods, triggered by incessant rainfall and rising river levels, have affected several districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and Khordha. Authorities said all emergency response teams remain on high alert as relief and restoration work continues across the affected regions.
CM Mohan Majhi conducts aerial survey of flood-hit Odisha, says situation likely to stabilise in two days.
