Ganjam bears the brunt of post-Cyclone Arnab rainfall as helicopters are deployed for rescue and relief; damaged roads, submerged villages and shortages of essentials compound the crisis.
Bhubaneswar: More than 84,500 people have been affected by severe flooding in three southern districts of Odisha following exceptionally heavy rainfall in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab. Ganjam remains the worst-hit district, followed by Gajapati and Kandhamal, as rescue operations continue amid widespread inundation and damage to infrastructure.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Ganjam and Gajapati, accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, to assess the extent of the damage.
In a post on X following the survey, Majhi said protecting people’s lives and property was the government’s foremost priority. He said officials had been directed to expedite rescue and relief operations and ensure uninterrupted delivery of food, drinking water and emergency healthcare. He also ordered faster restoration of damaged roads and bridges, electricity supply and measures to address potential post-flood health concerns.
Earlier, Pujari chaired a review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre in Bhubaneswar to assess the situation and coordinate relief measures. According to the minister, 42,564 people have been affected in Ganjam, 30,000 in Gajapati and 12,000 in Kandhamal, taking the combined figure to 84,564.
HELICOPTERS DEPLOYED FOR RESCUE
ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services personnel have been deployed across the affected districts. Helicopters are being used to evacuate stranded residents and deliver food supplies to areas inaccessible by road or boat.
The Indian Coast Guard has been requisitioned to support aerial evacuation in severely affected parts of Ganjam, where strong currents have prevented rescue teams from reaching some settlements.
Naval helicopters have also been scheduled to air-drop food packets at 22 locations in the district.
Relief camps are being supplied with dry food, rice, jaggery, polythene sheets and drinking water. Pregnant women are being prioritised for evacuation and provided access to healthcare facilities and medicines.
VILLAGES INUNDATED, LIVELIHOODS HIT
The swollen Rushikulya river has caused extensive flooding in Ganjam, particularly in Sorada block, where several villages were submerged and road connectivity disrupted.Nuagada and Suramani reportedly remained underwater for more than 24 hours, leaving residents with extensive losses of household belongings.
Small businesses have also suffered. Mini-bank outlets reportedly lost transaction records and equipment, while vegetable vendors lost their stocks. Residents of Bhaliagocha were still awaiting relief, while villagers in Bishnupur were seen repairing damaged roads through their own efforts.
Asika witnessed severe inundation, with its main market reportedly submerged under nearly 10 feet of water. Some residents took shelter on rooftops, while the town hospital was also inundated. In Bhanjanagar, parts of the town and surrounding agricultural fields remained submerged. Residents reported shortages of drinking water and inadequate relief supplies.
Gajapati has also experienced flooding in low-lying areas along the Vamsadhara and Mahendratanaya rivers.
ROADS, RAIL SERVICES DISRUPTED
The rainfall triggered landslides along the Ganjam-Gajapati border. At Taptapani Ghati, rocks and debris fell onto National Highway 326 near Kamlapur, disrupting traffic and leaving commuters stranded. Another landslide on the Balibada Ghati road in Mohana block affected connectivity to six villages.
Rail services along the Ichchapuram-Jhadupudi section under the Visakhapatnam Division were also disrupted after water levels rose near railway bridges, affecting the Howrah-Chennai route.
EXTENSIVE RAINFALL, RESTORATION EFFORTS
Patrapur in Ganjam recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while G Udayagiri in Kandhamal received 462.4 mm during the period covered by the earlier official assessment. Sorada separately recorded 503 mm.
The government has directed officials to restore damaged roads and electricity services on a priority basis. A central team is scheduled to visit Ganjam and Gajapati on November 2 to assess the damage.
Although rainfall has eased and water levels are receding in some areas, the recovery remains challenging. Damaged homes, lost livelihoods, submerged farmland and shortages of essential supplies continue to affect thousands of families across southern Odisha.
