Bhubaneswar, 10 November (H.S.): Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has held both the BJP and the previous BJD governments responsible for the recurring floods in Ganjam district, alleging that while the present government failed in timely dam-water management, the previous government neglected long-term measures to prevent floods during its 24-year rule.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan on Tuesday, Das said the BJP government failed to lower water levels in six dams between October 23 and 28 despite repeated warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). He alleged that the sudden increase in water discharge from around 7,000 cusecs to 1.4 lakh cusecs on October 29-30 aggravated the situation.

After visiting flood-affected areas of Ganjam and Gajapati for three days and interacting with thousands of affected people, Das questioned the absence of accountability and demanded action against the officials responsible. He also asked Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, to take responsibility for the alleged lapses.

Das said Ganjam has witnessed devastating floods in 1990, 1999, 2013, 2018 and again in October 2026, but successive governments have failed to implement a permanent solution. He called for a comprehensive master plan for flood control instead of repeatedly spending on rescue, relief, rehabilitation and repairs.

The PCC president urged the State Government to seek Rs 5,000 crore in central assistance, instead of Rs 2,500 crore, and press for recognition of the calamity as a national disaster.

Das also questioned the State Government's claim of achieving its 'zero casualty' target, pointing to deaths in the floods and landslides. He criticised the alleged involvement of BJP workers in relief distribution and asked the government to clarify the steps taken to restore damaged irrigation infrastructure and ensure accountability.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda