Bhubaneswar, August 17: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday visited several flood-affected areas in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts and took stock of the situation as thousands of people continued to face the impact of rising river waters and inundation.

The Chief Minister travelled to affected areas of Jajpur’s Dasarathpur block by motorised boat and interacted directly with residents to understand the problems being faced by families cut off by floodwaters. He visited Kasapa and Tarapada gram panchayats and met people from villages including Ramchandrapur, Balda and Dovabil.

During his interaction with residents, Majhi assured them that the state government was closely monitoring the flood situation and that every possible step was being taken to provide assistance to affected families. He directed officials to ensure that essential supplies reached people in areas surrounded by water.

The Chief Minister also inspected relief arrangements and reviewed the facilities being provided at relief camps. He checked the quality of cooked food served to displaced residents and emphasised the need to maintain proper standards in food distribution, drinking water and sanitation facilities.

The flood situation has affected several districts of Odisha, particularly parts of the northern region. According to officials, more than 7.85 lakh people have been affected by the floods, while over 2.77 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable locations and shifted to safer places. Hundreds of relief camps have been opened across the affected areas.

Jajpur and Bhadrak remain among the districts facing significant challenges because of overflowing rivers and inundated low-lying areas. The Baitarani and Brahmani rivers have contributed to flooding in several locations, affecting villages, roads, agricultural land and other infrastructure.

Officials informed the Chief Minister about the latest water levels, rescue operations and relief measures. Authorities have also been keeping a close watch on vulnerable embankments, particularly in areas where floodwaters have put additional pressure on protective structures.

Majhi’s visit to Bhadrak was also aimed at assessing the situation on the ground and reviewing the administration’s response. He directed district officials to remain alert and ensure that vulnerable residents are evacuated promptly whenever required.

The state government has mobilised personnel and resources for rescue, evacuation and relief operations. Administrative teams are working to provide food, drinking water and other essential materials to people affected by the floods.

The situation has been further influenced by continuing rainfall associated with a weather system over the Bay of Bengal. Authorities have therefore maintained heightened vigilance in several districts and are monitoring rainfall, river levels and embankments.

The Chief Minister’s field visit comes as the administration faces the twin challenges of managing the immediate humanitarian situation and assessing damage caused by the floods. Officials have been asked to prioritise the safety of people living in vulnerable areas and speed up restoration of essential services wherever possible.

As floodwaters gradually recede in some locations, the government is expected to undertake a detailed assessment of damage to houses, roads, bridges, crops and other public infrastructure. The administration has also indicated that lessons from the current situation will be used to strengthen flood-management and preparedness measures in the future.

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