Odisha floods: Over 2 lakh affected, CM Majhi deploys IAS officers for relief
Synopsis
More than two lakh people are reeling from floods across Odisha, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has moved beyond routine assurances — deploying three senior IAS officers directly to the worst-hit districts of Baleswar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur to personally oversee rescue and relief. With NDRF, ODRAF, and police on round-the-clock alert, the state is in full emergency mode.
Key Takeaways
Floods have affected more than 2 lakh people across several districts of Odisha as of 29 July .
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is personally monitoring the situation and reviewed it with the Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner .
Three senior IAS officers have been deployed to Baleswar , Bhadrak , and Jajpur to supervise evacuation and relief.
NDRF , ODRAF , Fire Services , and police are on full alert; police have intensified night patrolling in evacuated areas.
Relief shelters are equipped with drinking water, cooked food, healthcare, anti-snake venom, and livestock fodder.
Officials directed to ensure prompt flood damage assessment and speedy compensation disbursement to affected households.
Floods have affected more than two lakh people across several districts of Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 29 July assuring residents that the life and safety of every citizen remains the state government's top priority. Majhi said he is personally monitoring the situation and has activated the full administrative machinery to accelerate evacuation and relief operations.
Key Developments
In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Majhi said: 'The life and safety of every citizen of the state are our highest priority. My government and I have been closely monitoring the incessant rainfall and flood situation in some rivers at every moment.' He also urged residents not to panic and to follow official advisories.
Majhi confirmed he had reviewed the flood situation with the Chief Secretary and the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), directing the entire administration to ensure the well-being of people in affected areas.
Senior Officers Deployed to Worst-Hit Districts
To strengthen flood management on the ground, three senior IAS officers have been deputed to personally supervise evacuation, relief, and rescue operations in Baleswar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur — identified as the worst-affected districts. This direct deployment of senior bureaucrats signals the scale of the crisis and the state's intent to cut through administrative delays.
The Special Relief Commissioner's Office and the State Emergency Operation Centre have been directed to function round the clock to monitor river water levels and the evolving flood situation.
Rescue Forces on Full Alert
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services, and police have been placed on full alert to evacuate residents from vulnerable low-lying areas as required. Police have also intensified night patrolling in evacuated localities to prevent theft and protect the property of displaced families.
Relief Measures at Shelters
Chief Minister Majhi stated that all relief shelters in the affected areas are stocked with safe drinking water, cooked food, emergency healthcare services, anti-snake venom, and adequate fodder for livestock. Officials have additionally been directed to ensure prompt assessment of flood damage and speedy disbursement of compensation to those whose houses and agricultural land have been impacted.
What Comes Next
With river water levels still being closely tracked, authorities are expected to continue evacuation drives in low-lying zones. Damage assessments and compensation disbursements will be a critical measure of the relief response's effectiveness in the days ahead. The state's ability to scale relief swiftly will determine how quickly the more than two lakh affected residents can return to normalcy.
Point of View
Having built its resilience after the 1999 super cyclone, yet the scale of this flood event — over two lakh affected within a single reporting cycle — tests even that institutional memory. The real accountability question will come in the aftermath: whether compensation assessments are completed swiftly and whether the promise of 'speedy disbursement' translates into verifiable payouts, or remains a headline commitment. Flood relief in India routinely bogs down at the damage-assessment stage, and Majhi's government will be judged on that last mile, not on the emergency response alone.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been affected by the Odisha floods?
More than two lakh people have been affected by floods across several districts of Odisha as of 29 July. The worst-hit districts include Baleswar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.
What steps has CM Mohan Charan Majhi taken to manage the flood crisis?
Chief Minister Majhi has reviewed the situation with the Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner, deployed three senior IAS officers to the worst-hit districts, and placed NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services, and police on full alert. He has also directed the State Emergency Operation Centre to function round the clock.
Which districts are worst affected by the Odisha floods?
Baleswar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur have been identified as the most severely affected districts, each receiving a senior IAS officer to personally oversee evacuation, relief, and rescue operations.
What relief is available at flood shelters in Odisha?
Relief shelters in the affected areas are stocked with safe drinking water, cooked food, emergency healthcare services, anti-snake venom, and fodder for livestock, according to Chief Minister Majhi.
Will flood-affected residents in Odisha receive compensation?
Yes, officials have been directed to carry out prompt damage assessments of affected houses and agricultural land, with instructions for speedy disbursement of compensation to impacted families.
