Bhubaneswar, 30 October (H.S.): Ganjam has emerged as the worst-affected district in Odisha following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, with nearly 43,000 people affected and 23,323 evacuated to safer locations, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday.

As many as 72 villages in the district remain surrounded by floodwater, including nine severely inundated villages, prompting the state government to intensify rescue, evacuation and relief operations.

Addressing reporters, Pujari said several districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nuapada, had been affected by the cyclone and subsequent rainfall.

“Ganjam is the worst-affected district, followed by Gajapati. Kandhamal was also affected by rainfall yesterday. However, the rainfall data recorded up to 8.30 am on October 30 indicates relatively less rainfall across the state during the preceding 24 hours,” he said.

According to government estimates, 22 blocks, 242 gram panchayats, 386 villages and 18 urban local bodies (ULBs), covering 93 wards, have been affected in Ganjam district.

Of the approximately 43,000 affected people, 23,323 have been evacuated and accommodated in relief centres. The government also shifted 588 pregnant women to safer locations, of whom 326 have since delivered safely, the minister said.

The situation remains particularly serious in several inundated areas, where floodwater has reportedly reached the first floors of houses, leaving residents stranded.

The state government has mobilised the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Fire Services and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) for rescue and relief operations.

Coast Guard helicopters were deployed on Thursday to evacuate people stranded in flood-affected areas, while the Indian Navy has made arrangements for aerial food distribution on Friday.

Pujari said he had spoken to the district collectors and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), directing them to ensure that food reaches every affected person by the end of the day.

“If cooked food cannot be supplied, packed food should be provided,” he said.

Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi is also scheduled to visit Berhampur on Friday to review the ongoing operations.

The government has identified 40 locations where trained personnel will be deployed in boats to reach inundated villages and distribute cooked food. Fire Services teams and ODRAF personnel are also engaged in rescue and relief activities.

The Indian Navy will undertake aerial food drops at 21 identified locations across Ganjam district to reach people stranded in inaccessible areas.

The locations include three in Hinjilicut, seven in Purushottampur, two each in Surada, Dharakote, Asika, Bellaguntha and Chikiti, besides locations in the Bhanjanagar area.

The respective Block Development Officers (BDOs) and executive officers have been instructed to prepare food packets and hand them over to the Navy for aerial distribution, Pujari said.

Meanwhile, landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have damaged several roads, affecting both National Highways and state highways.

The minister said he had spoken to the Works Department Principal Secretary and directed him to initiate restoration work without delay.

The government is also planning to mobilise heavy machinery from Rayagada and Koraput districts to Ganjam and Gajapati to expedite debris clearance and restore road connectivity.

Pujari said 352 relief centres were operational in Ganjam district, providing shelter to around 23,300 people. In neighbouring Gajapati district, 340 relief centres were functioning, accommodating 21,782 people.

The minister also spoke to India Meteorological Department (IMD) Regional Director in Bhubaneswar, Dr Manorama Mohanty, who informed him that no significant rainfall was expected in Odisha during the next 24 hours.

With rainfall expected to ease, the administration is focusing on reaching stranded residents, ensuring uninterrupted food supplies and restoring road connectivity in the worst-affected areas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda