Flood damage in Odisha: Government calls for rapid assessment in affected districts

Bhubaneswar, Sept 20: Heavy rains caused by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal have led to flooding in at least 20 districts of Odisha, according to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari. Speaking on Friday, Pujari reported that while there have been no fatalities, significant damage has occurred to crops, agricultural lands, and homes in several areas. The district administrations have been instructed to submit damage assessment reports to the Revenue and Disaster Management department within the next seven days.

The flooding unfolded in two phases. The first phase primarily affected southern Odisha, particularly the districts of Malkangiri and Koraput, with Malkangiri experiencing the most extensive damage to cultivated lands.

In the second phase, districts including Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak were impacted, with Balasore being the hardest hit. Pujari noted that incomplete dam construction in Jharkhand, combined with existing habitation, has resulted in excess water from rainfall flowing into Mayurbhanj and Balasore.

The full moon phase has further complicated matters, preventing rivers from adequately draining into the Bay of Bengal, thereby exacerbating the flooding situation. However, the Minister mentioned that conditions have improved, and water levels in the affected regions are beginning to recede.