Odisha floods: CM Majhi visits Jajpur, Bhadrak by bike and boat as 7.85 lakh hit
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi skipped the helicopter and rode a motorcycle and boat into flooded Jajpur and Bhadrak on 17 August — a symbolic gesture as 7.85 lakh people remain displaced across six districts. With the Congress accusing him of arriving 16 days late, the visit is as much a political reckoning as a relief review.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi visited flood-hit Jajpur and Bhadrak on 17 August , travelling by motorcycle and boat.
Floods have affected more than 7.85 lakh people across six districts , including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapada.
Over 2.77 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations so far.
A total of 66 blocks , 448 gram panchayats , 1,304 villages , and 10 urban local bodies are affected.
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das accused the administration of visiting the affected areas 16 days after the crisis began, calling it a ‘mockery’ of victims.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, 17 August, visited flood-ravaged villages in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts, travelling by motorcycle and boat rather than helicopter to assess the crisis firsthand. With more than 7.85 lakh people affected across six districts, the Chief Minister declared that the safety of flood victims and the swift delivery of relief is the state government's foremost priority.
Ground Assessment
Accompanied by senior ministers and officials, CM Majhi inspected relief shelters, reviewed cooked food being distributed to displaced residents, spoke directly with farmers, and assessed crop damage across the inundated zones. His decision to forgo helicopter travel drew attention as a deliberate effort to gauge ground conditions without the remove of aerial observation.
What the Chief Minister Said
In a post on X, CM Majhi wrote: “Today, I visited the flood-affected areas, assessed the situation, and held discussions with the villagers. Relief, dry and cooked food, clean drinking water, and healthcare services are being provided immediately to affected families, while rescue and assistance efforts are being intensified. Ensuring the safety of the affected people and immediately providing them with necessary assistance is the topmost priority of the people’s government.”
He added that rescue and relief operations are proceeding on a “war footing,” with the administration working round the clock to evacuate residents, deliver essential supplies, and ensure no delay in assistance reaching those in need.
Scale of the Flood Crisis
According to official figures, 66 blocks, 448 gram panchayats, 1,304 villages, and 10 urban local bodies across six districts — Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapada — have been affected. Of those impacted, more than 2.77 lakh people have so far been evacuated to safer locations.
Opposition Criticism
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das launched a sharp attack on the Chief Minister, accusing his administration of insensitivity and negligence. “Visiting the flood-hit areas 16 days after the crisis began is nothing short of a mockery of the victims’ plight. People needed food, shelter, and immediate ground support when the waters were rising, not long after everything they owned was destroyed,” Das said.
The Congress criticism adds political pressure on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government at a time when relief operations remain ongoing and the full extent of agricultural damage is yet to be tallied. The coming days will test whether the administration’s round-the-clock claims translate into measurable relief on the ground.
Point of View
And one the government has not directly answered. With 7.85 lakh people displaced and crop damage still being assessed, the relief architecture — not the mode of transport — will define how this government is judged. Odisha has institutional muscle in disaster response built over decades; whether that machinery has been fully activated, or whether political visibility has substituted for administrative urgency, is what the coming damage assessments will reveal.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been affected by the Odisha floods in 2025?
More than 7.85 lakh people have been affected by the floods across six districts in Odisha, according to official figures. Over 2.77 lakh of them have been evacuated to safer locations.
Which districts in Odisha are worst affected by the floods?
Six districts — Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kendrapada — have been affected, covering 66 blocks, 448 gram panchayats, and 1,304 villages.
Why did CM Majhi travel by motorcycle and boat instead of helicopter?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reportedly chose motorcycle and boat travel to assess flood conditions firsthand at the ground level, rather than from the air. The decision was seen as a gesture of direct engagement with the crisis.
What has the Congress said about the Odisha government’s flood response?
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das accused CM Majhi of visiting the affected areas 16 days after the crisis began, calling it a ‘mockery’ of victims’ plight. He argued that people needed immediate ground support when waters were rising, not after their belongings were destroyed.
What relief measures are being provided to flood victims in Odisha?
According to the Chief Minister, relief including dry and cooked food, clean drinking water, and healthcare services are being delivered to affected families. Rescue and evacuation operations are continuing round the clock across the affected districts.
