What Did CM Mohan Majhi Discover During His Aerial Survey of Odisha's Flood-Affected Areas?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 81 villages affected across three districts.
- Approximately 30,000 people impacted by flooding.
- Emergency response teams deployed for safety.
- 29 free kitchens established to serve meals.
- Focus on preventing waterborne diseases through sanitation.
Bhubaneswar, July 30 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, conducted an aerial assessment on Wednesday to evaluate the impact of flooding in the districts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Balasore.
After the aerial observation, CM Majhi informed the press at Lok Seva Bhavan that 81 villages across eight blocks are currently affected by the recent floods.
He specified that the blocks of Baliapal, Basta, Bhograi, and Jaleswar in Balasore district, along with Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari in Bhadrak district, and Jajpur and Dasarathpur in Jajpur district, have been severely impacted.
Approximately 30,000 individuals have been affected by the floods, with 5,869 people evacuated from low-lying regions to safer areas within the affected districts, according to the Chief Minister.
CM Majhi noted that the water levels in several rivers, including Subarnarekha and Jalaka in Balasore district, are now decreasing, indicating that the flood conditions in the state are largely under control.
While flooding also occurred in Keonjhar and other regions, these incidents did not result in significant damage.
The state government is prioritizing zero casualties, deploying 17 teams from the ODRAF and 13 teams from the Fire Services Department in Balasore; one team each from the NDRF and ODRAF, along with 13 teams from the Fire Services Department in Bhadrak; and one ODRAF team and 14 Fire Services teams in Jajpur to manage emergencies during the flood crisis. The government is also providing dry food and cooked meals to those affected.
A total of 29 free kitchens have been set up — 16 in Balasore, 10 in Bhadrak, and 3 in Jajpur — serving meals to nearly 10,000 individuals daily.
The Chief Minister has mandated that the supply of cooked food continue for the next week. He stressed the importance of taking precautionary measures against waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, instructing officials to focus on water purification and sanitation in the impacted areas.
Local health officials are on alert and have been directed to stock sufficient quantities of anti-venom and other critical medications, especially due to reported snakebite incidents in some areas.
CM Majhi has instructed all District Collectors to perform a rapid damage assessment and submit comprehensive reports. Based on these evaluations, financial and material support will be provided to affected families.
Immediate repairs to damaged roads and restoration of connectivity in the most severely impacted regions have also been ordered, along with arrangements for adequate cattle feed for livestock.
In addition, the Chief Minister reiterated the need for precautions against waterborne diseases and advised officials to prioritize sanitation and water purification in the affected zones.
Notably, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh accompanied CM Majhi during the aerial survey.