CM Majhi: Odisha Rescue Teams Working Nonstop in Flood Zones
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed on 30 July 2026 that ODRAF, fire services and district administration are continuously evacuating flood-stranded residents to safety, urging the public to follow official guidance and avoid rumours.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted on 30 July 2026 confirming active flood rescue operations across the state.
ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), fire services , and district administration are jointly evacuating stranded residents.
The Chief Minister pledged that every effort is being made to protect each life and deliver timely assistance to every family.
Citizens were urged to remain alert, follow administration advisories, and not spread or believe rumours.
Odisha's multi-agency flood response framework traces its roots to reforms after the 1999 super cyclone .
Relief package announcements are the expected next step once immediate evacuations are completed.
Floodwaters have trapped residents across Odisha, and the state's rescue machinery is in full motion. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, 30 July 2026, confirmed that administration teams, ODRAF, fire services, and all rescue units are operating continuously to evacuate stranded people to safety — and urged citizens to stay alert, heed official guidance, and stay away from rumours.
In his post, the Chief Minister stated: 'Administration, ODRAF, fire services and all rescue teams are continuously working in flood-affected areas, moving stranded people to safe locations. Our every effort continues to protect each life and ensure timely assistance reaches every family. In this difficult time, I urge everyone to remain alert, follow the administration's advice, and stay away from rumours.'
ODRAF and Fire Services at the Frontline
The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) is the state's specialist search-and-rescue unit, created in the aftermath of the devastating 1999 super cyclone that reshaped how Odisha prepares for natural disasters. Working alongside the Odisha Fire Services, ODRAF teams are trained for exactly these conditions — swift-water rescues, boat evacuations, and rapid relief deployment. Their activation signals a coordinated, multi-agency response rather than a patchwork effort.
Odisha's Long Battle With Monsoon Flooding
Odisha is no stranger to this crisis. Districts along the Mahanadi and other river systems flood with near-clockwork regularity each monsoon season. Successive state governments have built and refined multi-agency coordination protocols over decades — the current response, involving district administration, ODRAF, and fire brigades working in tandem, reflects that institutional muscle memory. The Chief Minister's public warning against rumours is also standard operating procedure during large-scale evacuations, when misinformation can cause panic and impede rescue access.
With rescue operations still active, the state government's next critical step will be the assessment of damage and the announcement of relief packages for affected families — a phase that typically follows once the immediate threat of stranding is contained.
Point of View
Managing a large-scale monsoon disaster is an early governance test, and the explicit call to avoid rumours reflects awareness that information disorder can compound physical disaster. Odisha's institutionalised disaster response, built over 25 years since 1999, gives the current administration a strong operational base — but the political credit will hinge on how swiftly relief reaches affected families after the rescues conclude.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ODRAF and what does it do during floods?
ODRAF stands for Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, a state-level specialised unit trained for search, rescue and relief operations during natural disasters like floods. It was established after the 1999 super cyclone and is routinely deployed alongside fire services and district administration during monsoon emergencies.
Which areas of Odisha are affected by flooding?
Odisha's flood-prone districts are typically located along the Mahanadi river and other river systems. The specific districts affected in the current event have not been officially listed in the Chief Minister's post.
What did CM Mohan Charan Majhi say about the Odisha floods?
CM Majhi confirmed that administration, ODRAF, fire services and all rescue teams are continuously evacuating stranded people to safe locations, and urged citizens to remain alert, follow official advisories, and stay away from rumours.
Why does Odisha flood so frequently during monsoon season?
Odisha's geography — particularly its river systems including the Mahanadi — makes large parts of the state vulnerable to monsoon flooding each year. The state has developed dedicated disaster response forces and coordination protocols over decades to manage this recurring challenge.
What comes after flood rescue operations in Odisha?
Once immediate evacuations are completed, the state government typically assesses damage and announces relief packages for affected families. This is the expected next phase of the Odisha government's disaster response.
