Odisha Evacuates 5,000 Amid Floods Disrupting 30,000 Lives

Swift Summary

• Flood Impact: Odisha Government evacuated more than 5,000 people and provided cooked food for seven days as floods affected 30,000 people across three districts-Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.
• Villages Affected: Floods impacted 81 villages across eight blocks in the districts of Balasore (Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi, Jaleswar), Bhadrak (Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari), and Jajpur (Jajpur block and dasarathpur).
• Relief Efforts: Water levels in Subarnarekha and Jalaka rivers are receding; dry food and hot meals have been supplied to flood victims. Safety measures including purification of water sources are underway due to the risk of diseases.
• Health Precautions: Authorities issued advisories on waterborne disease prevention and stocked anti-venom for snakebite incidents reported from several areas.
• Damage Assessment & Response Teams: District collectors were directed to assess damages-including property losses-and restore connectivity in areas with infrastructural damage. Disaster response teams have been deployed extensively: 17 ODRAF teams in Balasore; various other teams deployed across affected districts.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Floods continue to pose a recurring threat to Odisha’s lowland regions during monsoons. The State Government’s rapid evacuation efforts alongside logistical readiness for food distribution show an organized disaster management approach. The deployment of multiple disaster relief teams underscores thier commitment to minimizing casualties.

However, concerns remain regarding post-flood health risks such as outbreaks of waterborne diseases or injuries from snakebites-a recurring issue highlighted by officials urging preventive measures like water purification protocols.Monitoring long-term impacts on infrastructure repair and livestock will be key indicators of rehabilitation efficiency.

The coordination among different administrative departments shows improved response mechanisms over time but also reflects the challenging need for better flood-resistant planning at an infrastructural level going forward.

Read more: The Hindu – July 31, 2025