Odisha CM Office: 13,221 Evacuated, 49 Relief Camps Active
Synopsis
Odisha's CMO confirmed on September 29, 2026 that 13,221 people have been evacuated, 49 relief camps are operational, 43 rescue teams are deployed, and 907.04 MT of cattle feed has been supplied amid ongoing monsoon flooding across the state.
Key Takeaways
13,221 people have been evacuated to safety across rain-affected areas of Odisha .
49 relief camps remain operational to shelter and support displaced communities.
43 rescue teams are deployed on the ground across flood-hit zones.
907.04 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied to protect livestock and rural livelihoods.
The operation is coordinated by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) , drawing on protocols developed after the 1999 super cyclone .
State authorities have signalled that relief operations will continue and daily situation updates are expected.
Rescue boats are moving through waterlogged villages, relief camps are feeding thousands, and cattle are being kept alive on government-supplied fodder — Odisha's flood response machinery is in full gear as the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha issued a situation update on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, confirming a large-scale, multi-front relief operation across rain-affected areas of the state.
The numbers on the ground: scale of the evacuation
A total of 13,221 people have been moved to safety so far, with 43 rescue teams deployed across flood-hit zones to continue search, evacuation, and emergency support work. Alongside them, 49 relief camps remain open and operational, providing shelter, food, and essential supplies to affected communities who have lost access to their homes.
The coordinated response reflects the standing protocol that Odisha has refined over decades — one built on the hard lessons of the devastating 1999 super cyclone, which killed tens of thousands and reshaped how the state approaches disaster preparedness. Today, pre-positioned teams and pre-designated camps are mobilised the moment rainfall forecasts turn severe.
907 MT of cattle feed — protecting rural livelihoods too
One figure in Tuesday's update stands out for what it says about the breadth of the operation: 907.04 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied to affected areas. In Odisha's rural economy, livestock are not just assets — they are the backbone of smallholder farm income. Losing animals to a flood can take a family years to recover from.
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the nodal agency overseeing these efforts, maintains feed stocks as a standard element of flood preparedness, recognising that protecting livelihoods is inseparable from protecting lives. The inclusion of cattle feed in the official update signals that the relief operation extends well beyond human evacuees.
Monsoon flooding and Odisha's recurring test
Odisha sits in the path of major river systems including the Mahanadi, which swells dramatically during heavy monsoon spells, inundating low-lying agricultural districts. The state's flood seasons have become a grim annual stress test for its emergency architecture — and also, arguably, a showcase for one of India's more battle-hardened disaster management systems.
With relief operations still active and rescue teams still in the field, the state government has indicated that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety and timely assistance. Situation reports are expected to continue in the coming days as rainfall intensity and drainage conditions evolve.
The next 48 hours — and the weather that comes with them — will determine whether the operation scales up further or begins the longer work of recovery.
Point of View
Pre-positioned camps, and a livestock feed supply line that most states still lack. The inclusion of cattle feed tonnage in an official CMO communiqué is a political signal as much as an operational one: the government is telling rural voters it understands that their animals are their balance sheets. The broader pattern here matters nationally — Odisha's disaster management model has long been cited as a benchmark for other flood-prone states, and each credible public update reinforces that institutional reputation. The question now is whether the operation's scale holds or expands, and how swiftly the shift from rescue to rehabilitation begins.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been evacuated in Odisha floods 2026?
As of September 29, 2026, a total of 13,221 people have been evacuated to safety from rain-affected areas of Odisha, according to the Chief Minister's Office.
How many relief camps are open in Odisha due to flooding?
49 relief camps are currently operational across flood-affected areas of Odisha, providing shelter and essential supplies to displaced communities.
How many rescue teams are deployed in Odisha flood areas?
43 rescue teams have been deployed across affected areas of Odisha to carry out evacuations and provide emergency support on the ground.
Why is cattle feed being distributed during Odisha floods?
Odisha has supplied 907.04 metric tonnes of cattle feed to protect livestock in flooded areas, recognising that farm animals are critical to the livelihoods of rural families who may lose years of income if their animals perish.
Which agency manages flood relief operations in Odisha?
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) is the nodal agency coordinating evacuations, relief camps, rescue teams, and supply logistics during flood emergencies in the state.
