Odisha CM announces ₹1,000 crore relief package for flood‑hit districts

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a ₹1,000 crore relief package for six flood‑hit districts after heavy rain worsened the situation in northern Odisha, affecting nearly 9.4 lakh people in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kendrapara. Majhi said the package is based on a preliminary damage assessment and additional funds will be provided if needed after detailed surveys. He made the announcement following visits to inundated villages in Jajpur and Bhadrak and a review with officials. The IMD has issued orange and yellow warnings for several districts while forecasting more very heavy rain.

What does the relief package include?

The package provides agricultural input subsidies for crop losses, seed supplies, repairs to lift irrigation projects and assistance for people who have lost their livelihoods. Majhi said 3.30 lakh people have been evacuated so far, with earlier movements of more than 2.37 lakh to nearly 300 relief camps that have now risen to around 531. He added that the ₹1,000 crore figure is an initial estimate and will be adjusted after district‑level damage assessments. "₹1,000 crore package is announced based on the preliminary estimation and additional funds would be provided if required after getting the detailed damage assessment from the flood‑hit districts," Majhi said.

How are rescue and relief operations progressing?

The state has deployed 45 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 53 fire service units for rescue work. Chief Secretary Anu Garg said around 100 rescue teams were positioned in vulnerable areas, with senior water resources engineers guarding embankments and three senior officers sent to Bhadrak, Jajpur and Balasore. Garg stressed that the next three days are critical for north Odisha districts. "These three days are crucial for the north Odisha districts," Garg said.

What is the current weather and river situation?

The India Meteorological Department said the depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal has moved over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal, but forecasts more very heavy rain in parts of Odisha. An orange warning covers Sundergarh, Jharsuguda and Bargarh, while a yellow warning covers Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Subarnapur and Bolangir. Earlier, a red warning had been issued for Balasore, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, with orange warnings for Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul and Dhenkanal, and yellow warnings for Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea on August 18 as conditions were expected to remain rough along the Odisha coast, North Bay of Bengal and nearby coasts.

What impact have the floods had on rivers, infrastructure and services?

Rainfall records show Bahalda in Mayurbhanj received 273 mm in 24 hours, Rairangpur 207 mm and Balasore 93.1 mm; Odisha’s total rain from June 1 to August 17 reached 972.9 mm, 28 % above the seasonal average of 760 mm. The Burhabalang, Baitarani and Subarnarekha basins recorded average areal precipitation of 77.6 mm, 47.9 mm and 36 mm respectively. Water Resources Department Engineer‑in‑Chief Dilip Kumar Rout said the Baitarani and Brahmani levels were static but could rise due to rain in Sundergarh and Jharsuguda, and the Subarnarekha could rise from Jharkhand rain, potentially inundating Basta, Baliapal and Jaleswar in Balasore. Rout warned that excess flood water discharged by Jharkhand is likely to reach Balasore on Wednesday.

Rout ruled out flooding in the Mahanadi system, noting that around 4 lakh cusecs are expected at Mundali after water is released through 10 Hirakud gates, with the reservoir level at 619.97 feet against a full level of 630 feet. He said Baitarani‑Brahmani floodwater could take four days to recede and that two embankment breaches in Jajpur are being repaired. Rail services on the Baripada‑Bangiriposi route remain suspended after landslides damaged nearly 50 metres of track near Sunagadia, with restoration underway pending safety clearance. Two people died in Balasore when a neighbouring wall collapsed on their house, and Jyoti Prakash Swain’s sister was seriously injured. Schools were closed in Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, Utkal University postponed Monday’s undergraduate examinations, and government employees’ leave was cancelled.

Majhi’s visit to Jajpur by motorised boat on Monday, where he met residents in Ramchandrapur, Balda and Dhobabil and inspected relief‑camp food, triggered a political dispute. Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik alleged that while BJP MPs, MLAs and ministers accompanied the CM, they deliberately denied entry to local BJD MLAs. "While BJP MPs, MLAs and ministers accompanied the CM, they deliberately denied entry to local BJD MLAs," Mallik said.

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