Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced an initial flood relief package of Rs 110 crore for people affected by the ongoing floods across the state, directing officials to ensure immediate financial assistance based on the preliminary assessment of damages.

The announcement came as the state government intensified relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations in flood-hit areas. The Chief Minister, who conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions, has also assigned ministers to oversee relief and rescue efforts in different districts.

The government said a final financial package would be extended after a comprehensive assessment of losses, including damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.

Relief to continue until normalcy returns

According to the Chief Minister's Office, all eligible beneficiaries in the flood-affected areas will receive Gratuitous Relief (GR), which will continue until normal conditions are restored.

The state government has already released Rs 26 crore in advance to severely affected districts to strengthen rescue and relief operations.

Compensation for damaged houses

Under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, financial assistance will be provided as follows:

• Rs 1.20 lakh for repair of fully damaged houses.
• Rs 6,500 for partially damaged pucca houses.
• Rs 4,000 for partially damaged kutcha houses.
• Rs 8,000 for collapsed huts.
• Rs 3,000 for damaged cattle sheds.

Crop loss assistance

Small and marginal farmers will receive compensation for crop and horticulture losses at the following rates:

• Rs 8,500 per hectare for rain-fed (non-irrigated) crops.
• Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops.
• Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.

Ex-Gratia for flood deaths, livestock losses

The government will provide Rs 4 lakh each as ex-gratia assistance to the next of kin of the six people who lost their lives in flood-related incidents, in accordance with SDRF guidelines.

Compensation has also been announced for livestock losses, including:

• Rs 37,500 per milch animal (cow or buffalo).
• Rs 32,000 per draught animal (bullock, buffalo or horse).
• Rs 20,000 per calf, donkey or mule.
• Rs 4,000 per goat or sheep.

Flood impact across 22 districts

The current floods have affected 22 districts, covering 85 blocks, 15 urban local bodies, 656 gram panchayats, and 1,458 villages.

According to official estimates:

• 8,63,909 people have been affected.
• 2,67,301 people have been evacuated to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
• 529 relief camps and 31 cattle camps are operational.
• Relief Materials and Rescue Operations

The state government said relief supplies distributed so far include:

• Around 41 quintals of rice
• 1,115 quintals of flattened rice
• 496 quintals of jaggery
• 3,869 polythene sheets
• Other essential relief materials

Additionally, 1,816 metric tonnes of cattle feed have been supplied for livestock.

To strengthen rescue operations, 199 rescue teams have been deployed, including:

• 20 ODRAF teams
• 7 NDRF teams
• 172 Fire Services teams
• Preliminary Damage Assessment

The preliminary assessment indicates:

• 6 flood-related deaths
• 3,567 houses damaged
• 33,458.30 hectares of agricultural land affected

Relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts are continuing on a war footing, particularly in Baleshwar, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. The government said food, safe drinking water, healthcare, veterinary services, polythene sheets and other essential assistance are being provided continuously to affected families.

The Chief Minister's Office reiterated that the state government stands firmly with every flood-affected family and will ensure timely relief and rehabilitation until normalcy is fully restored.