Bhubaneswar: Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide urgent Central assistance to cyclone and flood-affected Koraput and Rayagada districts in southern Odisha, seeking a comprehensive damage assessment and a special rehabilitation package.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ulaka, who is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, highlighted the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, followed by torrential rainfall and flash floods across the two districts.

He said the heavy rainfall, flooding, waterlogging, falling trees and landslide risks had disrupted normal life, rural connectivity, agricultural activities and essential infrastructure in the predominantly tribal and mountainous regions.

According to reported rainfall figures cited by the MP, Pottangi recorded 188 mm of rainfall, while Semiliguda received 143.1 mm. The heavy downpour has raised concerns over possible damage to roads, bridges, agricultural lands and remote habitations.

Ulaka expressed particular concern over the affected blocks of Koraput district, including Pottangi, Semiliguda, Nandapur, Lamtaput, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Laxmipur. In Rayagada district, he highlighted the situation in Kalyansinghpur, Kashipur, Bissamcuttack, Muniguda, Chandrapur, Gudari and Gunupur.

Seven demands for Central intervention

In his representation, the MP placed seven major demands before the Prime Minister:

1. Central damage assessment: Deployment of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to Koraput and Rayagada to assess damage to public infrastructure, houses, agricultural lands and livelihoods.
2. Special financial assistance: A liberal rehabilitation package under the applicable SDRF/NDRF framework and other Central schemes to restore damaged roads, bridges, drinking water systems, electricity, schools, Anganwadi centres and healthcare facilities, with special attention to NH-26 and NH-326.
3. Compensation for farmers: Completion of a preliminary crop-loss survey within 72 hours, followed by detailed verification and timely compensation under applicable disaster-relief provisions, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and other assistance mechanisms.
4. Restoration of rural connectivity: Emergency funding for damaged roads, bridges and causeways under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), along with climate-resilient reconstruction and improved drainage.
5. Flood and landslide mitigation: Formation of a high-level scientific task force involving the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission, National Disaster Management Authority, Geological Survey of India and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to prepare a comprehensive mitigation plan for the Vansadhara, Nagavali, Kolab and Indravati river basins.
6. Protection of tribal habitations: Immediate provision of food, safe drinking water, medical assistance, temporary shelters and sanitation facilities, with priority given to isolated tribal villages and vulnerable families.
7. Disaster-resilient infrastructure: Approval of a dedicated infrastructure resilience programme for southern Odisha, covering all-weather roads, strengthened bridges, early-warning systems and satellite communication facilities.

Calls for long-term protection of tribal communities

Ulaka pointed out that the fragile mountainous terrain, dependence on rain-fed agriculture, inadequate drainage and limited alternative road connectivity make Koraput and Rayagada particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

"Koraput and Rayagada cannot be left to face repeated natural disasters without permanent solutions. Our tribal communities, farmers and remote villages deserve timely relief, adequate compensation, resilient infrastructure and long-term protection. The Central Government must intervene immediately and work closely with the State Government to ensure that no affected family or isolated habitation is left behind," he said.

He further cautioned that recurring floods and extreme weather events could undermine years of progress in rural connectivity, agriculture and tribal development.

The MP urged the Prime Minister to treat the matter as a priority and ensure coordinated action between the Union and Odisha governments for immediate relief, rehabilitation and long-term disaster mitigation.

Copies of his representation have also been forwarded to the Collectors and District Magistrates of Koraput and Rayagada for necessary action.