Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of Ganjam and Gajapati on Friday after Cyclone Arnab flooded over 1,000 villages. Heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, disrupting normal life for thousands. The government deployed many rescue teams to help people, while relief operations got started in affected areas.
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday conducted an aerial survey of cyclone- and flood-ravaged Ganjam and Gajapati districts to assess the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, as rescue and relief operations were intensified amid widespread inundation and disruption of normal life.
Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari accompanied the Chief Minister during the survey. The aerial assessment focused on the extent of flooding, damage to houses, roads and other infrastructure, and the impact on agriculture and people's livelihoods.
According to government estimates, more than 1,000 villages in the two districts have been affected. While 299 villages across 22 blocks were hit in Ganjam, another 711 villages in seven blocks of Gajapati district suffered the impact of the deluge. Around 42,500 people have been affected in Ganjam alone, while approximately 20,000 people have been impacted in Gajapati.
He said the government had made advance preparations to tackle Cyclone Arnab, deploying ministers and senior officers in districts expected to face its impact. However, the cyclone changed direction after making landfall in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in unexpectedly heavy rainfall and flooding in Ganjam and Gajapati. The administration had initially anticipated a greater impact on Malkangiri.
The Rushikulya and Vamsadhara rivers, along with their tributaries, were in spate following torrential rainfall. Patrapur in Ganjam recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while Sanakhemundi and Sorada received 388 mm and 375 mm respectively.
More than 59,000 people have been evacuated to safer places across the affected districts over the past 72 hours. Around 2,000 people were reported stranded in Ganjam, prompting aerial and ground rescue operations. A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted six people near Jagamohan Primary Health Centre in Dharakote, while fire services personnel rescued several others stranded in Bhanjanagar and surrounding areas.
The Rushikulya was flowing above the danger mark at Purushottampur, while floodwater reaching the Bahuda railway bridge disrupted train services. The state government has deployed 52 ODRAF, nine NDRF and 35 fire services teams for rescue and relief operations. Additional food supplies have also been delivered by air to inaccessible locations.
Meanwhile, the government released an additional Rs 20 crore to Ganjam district for disaster response and relief operations.
In a tragic incident, three members of a family, including a nine-month-old baby, were killed in a landslide at Dangesi village under Raikia block in Kandhamal district. Two other persons trapped in the debris were rescued. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik visited the affected area and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each for the deceased.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said 15 additional Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams had been dispatched to affected areas as heavy rainfall and poor visibility continued to hamper rescue operations.
Panchayati Raj minister Rabi Narayan Nayak said the government was also prioritising restoration of road connectivity, electricity and other essential services.