Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to visit flood-hit Ganjam district tomorrow and conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas.

The Chief Minister is expected to survey Asika, Sorada and Hinjili. In addition to this, Belaguntha and Bhanjanagar are likely to feature in his itinerary. 

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari is likely to accompany the Chief Minister during the visit.
Today, heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ continues to disrupt the normal life across several districts.

Meanwhile, the state government has been carrying out rescue, evacuation and relief operations in Ganjam, Gajapati and other rain-affected districts following the heavy rainfall.

Over 59,000 people affected

According to the latest figures shared by the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, 59,028 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas across Odisha, with 830 relief shelters arranged to accommodate displaced residents.

Gajapati has recorded the highest number of evacuations at 17,441 people, followed by Malkangiri with 15,477, Ganjam with 11,882 and Nabarangpur with 10,519.

Pujari reviewed the situation from the State Emergency Operations Centre at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC). The Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Water Resources Department and other concerned departments also attended the review meeting.

Helicopters used in evacuation

Coast Guard helicopters are being used to evacuate people from vulnerable areas of Ganjam district in phases. 
Ganjam has deployed 45 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 24 fire service teams. The district has 110 permanent shelters, besides several temporary facilities.

Authorities have identified 922 vulnerable villages in Ganjam, with 299 villages across 22 blocks reported to be affected. 

The administration has evacuated 550 pregnant women in Ganjam, including 293 cases involving institutional deliveries.

In neighbouring Gajapati, 12 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 12 fire service teams are on standby. Seven rescue boats have been deployed, and relief materials and permanent and temporary shelters have been arranged.

The district administration has evacuated 420 pregnant women, including 33 institutional deliveries.

Rayagada district has deployed 11 fire service teams and arranged 134 shelters, including three permanent and 131 temporary facilities. Three SRC power boats are stationed in Gunupur, Gudari and K. Singhpur. A total of 236 pregnant women have been evacuated, including 86 institutional deliveries.

Heavy rainfall activity

Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district received 462.4 mm. Several locations in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall.

The state has deployed 60 ODRAF teams, nine NDRF teams and 244 fire and emergency service teams across affected areas. Rescue personnel are engaged in evacuations, clearing fallen trees, restoring road connectivity and providing emergency assistance.

Nine districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Kandhamal — have been affected by heavy rainfall.

In Gajapati, four road stretches in Mohana, Udayagiri and Rayagada blocks were disrupted due to heavy rain. Traffic on the Pattangi–Galigabdar road in Koraput district, which had been disrupted by floodwater, has returned to normal.

The water level of the Vamsadhara River in Gajapati stood at 52.5 metres, below its danger level of 54.10 metres, according to the update.

Heavy rainfall and waterlogging have also affected railway operations in the Visakhapatnam division. Train services on the Ichchapuram–Jhadupudi section have been disrupted at several locations, leading to the suspension of several trains and diversion of 14 others. Some trains were stranded at five locations in Odisha, with arrangements being made to assist affected passengers.

Meanwhile, electricity restoration has been prioritised across the affected districts. Of the 316 affected 33-kV substations, power supply has been restored at 298, with around 84 per cent of electricity connections restored, officials said.