Bhubaneswar: The Opposition BJD Monday launched an attack on the BJP government over the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods in Ganjam and Gajapati, alleging lapses in disaster preparedness and demanding an apology from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.In posts on X, BJD leader and former IAS officer Sujata Rout Karthikeyan questioned the management of reservoirs in the Rushikulya River basin, alleging that the failure to re lease water in advance and alert people in downstream areas aggravated the flooding. She said advance warnings about the cyclone had been issued from October 23, while heavy rainfall was forecast in southern Odisha between October 27 and 29. Red alerts had also been issued for Ganjam and Gajapati.According to her, the Bhanjanagar, Sorada and Dhanai reservoirs were around 80 per cent full October 28. She alleged that the reservoir gates were opened only after heavy rainfall triggered a sudden rise in water inflow, without prior warnings to downstream residents. Questioning why wa ter was not released in advance from reservoirs, minor irrigation projects, diversion weirs and check dams across the Rushikulya basin, she sought accountability for what she termed avoidable negligence.BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty also criticised the government’s handling of the disaster, describing its response as a shift from ‘zero casualty’ to ‘zero accountability’. He claimed that people in Ganjam and Gajapati were questioning BJP MLAs and ministers over the situation, while BJD workers were reaching out to affected families. He alleged that government functionaries were more focused on photo opportunities during relief and restoration operations, while party president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik was in regular touch with the Ganjam Collector.Mohanty said BJD leaders had visited the families of those who died in the disaster and stood by them. He demanded an apology from the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister for the failure to ensure zero casualties.
BJD slams govt over Arnab preparedness
