States » EastPosted at: Oct 31 2026 8:17PM


Odisha Congress questions BJP government’s flood preparedness, seeks central team for Ganjam and Gajapati

Bhubaneswar, Oct 31(UNI) Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has questioned the BJP-led state government's preparedness and response to the devastating floods and landslides in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, alleging administrative lapses, inadequate precautionary measures and a lack of effective coordination despite advance weather warnings.
Expressing concern over the plight of thousands of affected families, Das said that although natural disasters cannot be prevented entirely, their impact can be minimised through timely warnings, proper planning and effective disaster management.
He alleged that the state government had failed to take adequate preventive measures and ensure timely evacuation of people from vulnerable areas.
According to the Congress leader, thousands of families have been affected, several villages remain inundated, roads and communication networks have suffered extensive damage, and large stretches of agricultural land have been devastated.
He said people in many affected areas were struggling to access essential supplies, including food, safe drinking water and medicines, while the government's response had allegedly fallen short of expectations.
Raising concerns over reservoir management, Das questioned why residents of downstream villages and vulnerable habitations were not adequately alerted before the release of water. He also sought clarification on the coordination among the concerned departments, district administrations and disaster management authorities, particularly in view of the combined impact of heavy rainfall and reservoir discharge.
The Congress President alleged that despite advance weather warnings, the government had failed to make adequate arrangements for evacuating people from flood- and landslide-prone villages.
Highlighting the economic consequences of the disaster, Das said the floods and landslides had not only damaged houses and public infrastructure but had also severely affected the livelihoods of thousands of families. Paddy and other crops have reportedly suffered extensive damage, while fish farmers and fishermen are likely to face losses due to damage to ponds, fish stocks and fishing equipment.
Demanding a comprehensive assessment of the losses, Das called for adequate compensation to all affected sections, including farmers, fishermen, agricultural labourers, daily wage earners and families whose houses have been damaged.
Seeking urgent intervention from the Centre, Das demanded that the union Home Ministry immediately send a central team to assess the damage caused by floods and landslides in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. He also sought additional financial assistance for Odisha from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to facilitate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
The central assistance Das said should not be restricted to immediate relief operations but must also cover the reconstruction of damaged houses, roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems and electricity infrastructure, besides the restoration of livelihoods. Special financial support, he added, should be extended to farmers, fishermen, daily wage workers and families who have lost their homes.
The OPCC also demanded a transparent, door-to-door assessment of the damage and public disclosure of district-wise data on deaths, missing persons, affected villages, damaged houses, agricultural losses and livelihood disruptions.
Calling for stronger long-term disaster preparedness, Das stressed the need to establish a permanent mechanism for improved reservoir management, timely warnings before water discharge, continuous monitoring of rivers and streams, identification of landslide-prone areas and disaster preparedness at the village level.
He also demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged administrative lapses during the disaster and sought accountability from officials and ministers found responsible for any failures.
UNI DP
Tags: #Odisha Congress questions BJP government’s flood preparedness# seeks central team for Ganjam and Gajapati
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