Odisha Steps Up Flood Relief in Jajpur, 1.32 Lakh Assisted
Officials said the administration has focused on the immediate distribution of dry food to marooned families
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched an intensive, war-footing relief and rescue operation in the flood-ravaged Jajpur district, providing assistance to more than 1.32 lakh people as widespread inundation affected hundreds of villages across six blocks.
According to the latest flood situation report issued by the Civil Supplies Officer, Jajpur, relief measures have been scaled up across the district, with 242 relief camps opened to shelter affected residents. The floods have impacted six blocks—Dasarathpur, Jajpur, Binjharpur, Barchana, Korei and Bari—covering 101 gram panchayats and 297 villages.
A total of 1,32,353 people have received relief so far, including 1,05,729 adults and 27,524 children. Dasarathpur block accounted for the highest number of beneficiaries at 39,162, followed by Jajpur block with 27,003 people.
Officials said the administration has focused on the immediate distribution of dry food to marooned families. As part of the relief effort, 1,305.96 quintals of flattened rice (chuda) and 178.62 quintals of jaggery (gur) have been distributed across the affected areas. No rice has been distributed under the current relief programme.
Dasarathpur block is the worst affected, with floodwaters inundating 59 villages under 19 gram panchayats. The administration established 87 relief camps in the block, where 39,162 people were provided shelter and assistance. The block also received 382.50 quintals of chuda and 39.91 quintals of gur.
In Jajpur block, flooding affected 37 villages across 20 gram panchayats, prompting the opening of 22 relief camps that accommodated 27,003 people.
Bari block witnessed inundation in the largest number of villages—98 spread across 29 gram panchayats. Authorities opened 70 relief camps and extended assistance to 20,376 people.
Korei and Barchana blocks also reported extensive flooding. Korei recorded 39 affected villages and 20,655 beneficiaries, while Barchana saw 28 villages inundated, with relief reaching 20,757 people.
Binjharpur block reported flooding in 36 villages under 11 gram panchayats. Authorities opened 39 relief camps, where 4,400 people received assistance.
Official records show that floodwaters began entering different parts of the district between the afternoon of July 28 and the morning of July 30, triggering large-scale evacuation and relief operations.
"The district administration, supported by various government departments, continues to monitor the situation closely and ensure the uninterrupted supply of relief materials to the affected population. We believe there will be significant improvement in the flood situation soon," said Jitendra Biswal, representative of Jajpur MP Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera.
