BJD slams Odisha flood response, questions CM Majhi's Delhi trip during crisis
Synopsis
The BJD has turned Odisha's flood crisis into a political flashpoint, alleging that CM Mohan Majhi's presence in Delhi — rather than his state — cost critical response hours. With seven deaths, 1,380 animals lost, and thousands of acres submerged, the opposition is framing this as a governance failure, not just a natural disaster.
Key Takeaways
BJD accused the Odisha government of a belated flood response on 2 August , alleging meaningful action began only after CM Mohan Charan Majhi returned from New Delhi .
The floods claimed seven lives , killed 1,380 domestic animals , and submerged thousands of acres of agricultural land, according to the BJD.
BJD spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty alleged the administration lacked urgency despite repeated opposition warnings about the worsening situation.
CM Majhi assigned senior ministers to oversee relief in worst-affected districts on Saturday — a move the BJD says came too late.
The BJP came to power in Odisha earlier this year, ending the BJD's two-decade rule; the opposition is closely tracking the new government's crisis management.
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday, 2 August accused the Odisha government of a delayed and inadequate response to the state's severe flood crisis, alleging that meaningful administrative action began only after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi returned from New Delhi. The charge marks a sharp escalation in political tensions over the state's disaster management record.
The Core Allegation
BJD spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty said in a press statement that the state government failed to demonstrate the urgency the situation demanded, despite repeated warnings from the opposition. According to Dr Mohanty, the Chief Minister, along with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, was in Delhi at the very moment the flood situation had turned critical — leaving the administration without the promptness needed to assist affected residents.
'Although the BJD and other Opposition parties repeatedly pointed out that the flood situation had become grave, the State Government did not wake up to the reality. It was only after the Chief Minister returned from Delhi and realised the seriousness of the flood situation that he assigned some Ministers to supervise the flood-affected areas,' Dr Mohanty alleged.
Scale of the Damage
According to the BJD's account, the floods claimed seven lives, killed 1,380 domestic animals, and submerged thousands of acres of agricultural land across affected districts. The party alleged that residents of flood-hit areas endured severe hardship owing to the government's tardy response. Dr Mohanty argued that timely intervention could have minimised the damage and potentially prevented the loss of lives.
What the Government Did — and When
Notably, CM Majhi on Saturday assigned senior ministers to oversee relief and rehabilitation operations in the worst-affected districts. The BJD, however, contends that this step came too late and only after political pressure mounted. The party questioned the justification for the Chief Minister's continued presence in Delhi alongside BJP leaders during an active flood emergency in his home state.
Broader Political Context
This is not the first time an Odisha government has faced criticism over flood response — the state's low-lying geography and heavy monsoon exposure make it one of India's most flood-prone regions. The BJP came to power in Odisha earlier this year, ending BJD's two-decade rule, and the opposition has been closely scrutinising the new administration's crisis management credentials. Critics argue that the optics of a Chief Minister being away in Delhi during a flood emergency are politically damaging regardless of the administrative merit.
With the monsoon season far from over, how the Majhi government manages the ongoing relief operations will be closely watched by both the opposition and flood-affected communities across the state.
Point of View
Even if the visit had legitimate purpose. What this episode really tests is whether the BJP's new Odisha government has built the institutional reflexes for disaster response that the BJD, for all its faults, had refined over twenty years. The fact that ministerial deployment to flood zones came only after the CM's return — rather than proactively — suggests those reflexes are still forming. With the monsoon peak still ahead, the Majhi administration cannot afford another such optics failure.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the BJD allege about Odisha's flood response?
The BJD alleged that the Odisha government responded belatedly to the flood crisis, with meaningful administrative action beginning only after CM Mohan Charan Majhi returned from New Delhi. The party said the delay caused avoidable hardship to flood-affected residents.
How severe was the flood damage in Odisha according to the BJD?
According to the BJD, the floods killed seven people, caused the death of 1,380 domestic animals, and submerged thousands of acres of agricultural land. The party alleged that timely intervention could have reduced both the human and economic toll.
Why did the BJD criticise CM Mohan Majhi's Delhi visit?
The BJD questioned why CM Majhi remained in Delhi alongside senior BJP leaders while the flood situation in Odisha had turned critical. The party argued his absence delayed the administrative response that flood-hit residents urgently needed.
What action did the Odisha government eventually take?
CM Majhi on Saturday assigned senior ministers to supervise relief and rehabilitation operations in the worst-affected districts. The BJD, however, contends this came too late and only after political pressure from the opposition.
What is the political backdrop to this dispute?
The BJP ended the BJD's roughly two-decade rule in Odisha earlier this year. The BJD, now in opposition, has been closely scrutinising the new government's governance record, and the flood response has become the latest flashpoint in that political contest.
