Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas across five districts to assess the extent of damage and monitor ongoing rescue and relief operations as the flood situation remained critical in parts of the state.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil during the survey, which covered more than 12 blocks affected by flooding. Several villages continue to remain marooned as swollen rivers inundated low-lying areas following heavy rainfall.

Addressing the media after the aerial inspection, Majhi said several villages in the affected districts remain inundated, but the flood situation is gradually improving. He expressed confidence that floodwaters would recede substantially within the next two days.

"The government is closely monitoring the situation. Instructions have been issued to complete damage assessment within three days after the floodwaters recede. Based on the reports, immediate assistance will be provided to farmers, families whose houses have been damaged, and other affected people," the Chief Minister said.

The aerial survey covered flood-hit areas in Dasarathpur, Bari and Binjharpur blocks of Jajpur district; Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari and Chandbali in Bhadrak; Soro, Remuna and Balasore Sadar in Baleshwar; parts of Badasahi, Udala and Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj; and Hatadihi block in Kendujhar district.

Majhi said the government is also maintaining a close watch on the flood situation in Puri district and is coordinating with ministers and senior officials to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation.

Reiterating the state's "Zero Casualty" approach to disaster management, the Chief Minister said nearly eight lakh people have been affected by the floods, while 2.69 lakh people have been safely evacuated to secure locations.

For rescue operations, the state has deployed 17 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and 129 Fire and Emergency Service teams across the affected districts.

The government has established around 700 relief centres and shelter camps, where affected families are being provided accommodation, cooked and dry food, safe drinking water, and medical care. Senior officials have been stationed in the affected districts to supervise relief and restoration work.

The Chief Minister said the state government has released Rs 26 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to support rescue and relief operations. Essential supplies, including polythene sheets, dry rations, cooked meals, drinking water, and medicines, are being distributed to affected families.

Majhi also directed authorities to immediately repair damaged roads and restore connectivity in flood-hit areas. He stressed the need for strict surveillance to prevent the outbreak of water-borne and other diseases in the aftermath of the floods.

He credited timely warnings, continuous monitoring, and coordinated action by various departments for preventing large-scale loss of life and minimising the impact of the floods.

With river levels showing signs of receding, the Odisha government has shifted its focus towards rapid damage assessment, infrastructure restoration, agricultural loss evaluation, and post-flood rehabilitation while continuing relief operations in the affected districts.

The recent floods, triggered by incessant rainfall and rising river levels, have affected several districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and Khordha. Authorities said all emergency response teams remain on high alert as relief and restoration work continues across the affected regions.