Bhubaneswar, 10 November (H.S.) Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to ensure immediate relief, compensation and rehabilitation for people affected by the recent floods in Ganjam district. He has also demanded accountability for alleged administrative negligence that aggravated the crisis.

In a letter to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, Patnaik said he had visited flood-affected areas of Hinjili, Sheragada, Aska and Sorada on November 7 and interacted with farmers, women, small traders and other affected residents.

Expressing concern over the extensive damage, he said the floods had destroyed crops, damaged infrastructure, claimed lives and severely disrupted livelihoods. He alleged that administrative negligence and inadequate preparedness had worsened the situation.

Questioning the timing of water discharge from dams during the cyclone-induced rainfall, Patnaik said the India Meteorological Department had issued an early warning on October 23. He argued that dam water levels should have been monitored round the clock following the alert.

He said standard operating procedures for cyclone and flood management required advance release of water from reservoirs ahead of heavy rainfall. However, he alleged that the Water Resources Department released water after intense rainfall had begun, aggravating the floods and causing extensive losses.

The BJD president also alleged that people were not adequately alerted before the opening of dam gates and demanded action against officials responsible for the lapses.

He further questioned the government's preparedness despite advance weather warnings and Ganjam's known vulnerability to heavy rainfall during cyclones. He alleged that delays in rescue and relief operations left several people stranded for days without adequate food and drinking water.

Patnaik called for urgent relief measures, adequate compensation to affected families and comprehensive rehabilitation of those who lost their homes, crops and livelihoods. He also sought a thorough examination of the alleged administrative failures and fixing of responsibility.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda