Bhubaneswar: The Central government has approved the advance release of Rs 500 crore to Odisha under the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support relief and response measures during the ongoing southwest monsoon.
The approval was granted by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. Odisha, which had already received the first instalment of the Central share of the SDRF for the financial year 2026-27, has now been sanctioned the second instalment in advance to ensure the timely availability of funds for disaster relief operations.
According to an official statement, the advance release is aimed at strengthening the state’s relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by floods during the monsoon season.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Central government has been closely monitoring the flood situation across the country in coordination with state governments since the onset of the southwest monsoon. It added that necessary support, including the pre-deployment of National Disaster Response Force teams and logistical assistance from the Ministry of Defence wherever required, has been provided.
The Centre said the financial assistance reflects its commitment to helping states respond effectively to flood-related emergencies and ensuring that adequate resources are available for relief measures.
A total of Rs 2,117.85 crore has been approved for flood-affected states under the Central share of the SDRF. Odisha’s allocation of Rs 500 crore has been released as an advance of the second instalment for the 2026-27 financial year.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the timely financial assistance.
In a post on X, he said: “The government of India has approved the advance release of ₹500 crore as the second instalment of the Central share of SDRF for Odisha for FY 2026–27, providing timely support amid the ongoing flood situation. This assistance will further strengthen the State’s rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts, provide necessary support to affected families, and accelerate the restoration of normalcy in flood-affected areas. I express my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for standing firmly with the people of Odisha and extending this timely support.”
Separately, Majhi has assigned responsibilities to cabinet members to manage the flood situation. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has been given charge of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida has been given charge of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has been given charge of Puri district. Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has been given charge of Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts, to oversee relief and restoration work.
Along with this, other ministers will visit their respective districts as ministers-in-charge and oversee relief and restoration work there.
The state has been battling widespread flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains and the release of excess water from the Hirakud Dam, with 20 districts affected and nearly seven lakh people impacted.
According to reports, the Mahanadi river system inundated hundreds of villages, damaging homes, roads and agricultural land. At least three people lost their lives in Keonjhar district during the floods, while thousands of residents were evacuated to safer places and housed in relief camps. The Odisha government, assisted by ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services personnel, has carried out extensive rescue, relief and restoration operations as floodwaters begin to recede.
