Bhubaneswar, 02 August (H.S.): As floodwaters continue to recede across Odisha, the state government has shifted its focus from rescue operations to damage assessment and restoration, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said on Sunday. While the overall situation has improved, more than eight lakh people across 22 districts have been affected by the floods.

According to the minister, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur remain the worst-hit districts. Flood impacts were also reported from parts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, and Cuttack. The government has initiated a comprehensive assessment to evaluate damage to homes, crops, and public infrastructure.

Teams from the Agriculture and Revenue departments have been deployed to conduct field surveys in affected areas. Preliminary reports indicate damage to houses in several districts, while officials have been directed to submit detailed assessments of losses to vegetable crops.

The condition of schools and Anganwadi centres is also being evaluated. Based on these reports, the government will provide financial assistance for repair and restoration.

To prevent potential disease outbreaks, the Panchayati Raj, Health, and Housing & Urban Development departments have launched disinfection drives in flood-affected regions. The Water Resources Department has been instructed to carry out immediate repairs of damaged embankments to strengthen flood protection systems.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed all departmental ministers to visit affected areas and personally assess the ground situation to ensure effective implementation of relief and restoration measures.

Highlighting central assistance, Suresh Pujari said the state has already received ₹500 crore from the Centre, even before formally requesting additional aid.

The state government emphasized that restoration, rehabilitation, and damage assessment efforts will continue until normalcy is fully restored across all affected regions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda