Naveen Calls Ganjam Floods A ‘Man-Made Crisis’, Seeks Accountability

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has termed the Ganjam floods a “man-made crisis” caused by administrative negligence, accusing the BJP government of failing to act on advance weather warnings and releasing dam water after heavy rains had begun.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik demanded immediate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for flood-hit people, besides fixing accountability for the alleged lapses in disaster management.

Patnaik said he visited flood-affected Hinjili, Sheragada, Aska and Sorada on November 7 and interacted with farmers, women, small traders and other residents. The floods had caused extensive damage to infrastructure, massive crop losses and destruction of livelihoods, besides claiming lives, he said.

Referring to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) warning issued on October 23, the BJD chief alleged that the administration failed to take adequate precautionary measures despite sufficient advance information about the impending heavy rainfall.

He said dam water levels should have been monitored round the clock and adequate water released before the onset of heavy rains, in accordance with standard operating procedures for cyclone and flood management.

Instead, the water resources department allegedly released water after heavy cyclonic rains began, aggravating the flooding and causing extensive damage to life and property.

Patnaik further alleged that residents were not adequately warned before dam gates were opened and that government advisories on rainfall intensity were delayed.

Criticising the rescue and relief operations, he claimed that people remained stranded for days without food and drinking water because of administrative unpreparedness.

The BJD president said he had forwarded representations from affected residents to the Special Relief Commissioner, urging immediate action. He demanded timely compensation and assistance for farmers, women, youth, small traders and other affected sections without discrimination.

Patnaik also accused the BJP government of weakening Odisha’s community-based disaster management system by neglecting sarpanches and diluting the Mission Shakti programme.

Claiming that the system had earned global recognition during the BJD’s 24-year rule, he cited alleged lapses in handling disasters in Ganjam, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore.

Warning that assurances alone would not alleviate people’s distress, Patnaik said the BJD would raise their concerns at every forum and demanded accountability for the alleged negligence.

Reacting to Patnaik’s allegations, Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan blamed the previous BJD government for the massive flooding in Ganjam, alleging that it had failed to strengthen flood-prevention measures during its tenure. “The BJD government never made any effort to strengthen flood-prevention measures. As a result, the district suffered immensely when it witnessed heavy rainfall during Cyclone Arnab, which struck on October 28,” Harichandan said.