States » EastPosted at: Nov 4 2026 7:22PM


South Odisha flood devastation exposes BJD's 24 year infrastructure neglect:BJP

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (UNI ) The BJP has blamed the alleged failure of the previous BJD government to develop adequate flood-control infrastructure for the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab and torrential rainfall in southern Odisha.
Accusing former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of neglecting critical dam and reservoir projects during his 24-year tenure, BJP state general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said the absence of major flood-management infrastructure had left several districts vulnerable to severe flooding.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, Tripathy said Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts had suffered extensive damage to human lives, property, houses, electricity infrastructure and agricultural fields due to Cyclone Arnab and exceptionally heavy rainfall.
He claimed that the rainfall recorded during the cyclone had exceeded the levels witnessed during the 1990 cyclone, the 1999 Super Cyclone and Cyclone Titli in 2018. According to him, the unprecedented downpour was the primary reason behind the severe flooding across the three districts.
Tripathy alleged that despite being in power for 24 years, the previous BJD government had failed to establish even a single major dam or reservoir specifically designed to manage floods in the region.
He pointed out that most dams across the Rushikulya, Bahuda, Vamsadhara, Nagavali and other river basins were medium or minor irrigation projects, primarily developed to meet drinking water and irrigation requirements rather than control floods.
Except for the Bhanjanagar reservoir, most reservoirs lacked gates and adequate mechanisms to regulate the flow of excess floodwater, he claimed.
The BJP leader also criticised the previous government for failing to implement the proposed Pipalapanka Dam project on the Rushikulya and Odengi rivers, which was conceptualised in 1996. Had the project been executed, areas such as Sorada and Sheragada in Ganjam district could have been significantly protected from flooding, he said.
He further alleged that the previous government had neglected the maintenance and safety of ageing dams and embankments over the years, leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable.
Defending the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government, Tripathy said several preventive and precautionary measures had been undertaken ahead of Cyclone Arnab to minimise the impact of the disaster.
According to Tripathy, Odisha received more than 400 mm of rainfall in October 2026, over twice the monthly average of approximately 190 mm. Ganjam district alone reportedly recorded more than 500 mm of rainfall between October 28 and 30, with exceptionally heavy precipitation occurring within just seven to eight hours.
Claiming that the administration had responded swiftly to the crisis, Tripathy said roads damaged by the cyclone and subsequent flooding were restored within 24 hours in several affected areas.
Tripathy said 11 BJP MLAs, including two ministers, and three MPs from the affected region were continuously monitoring relief and rescue operations.
At the same time, he questioned the absence of the lone BJD MLA elected from Ganjam district during the crisis and asked where former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was when people in the region were facing severe hardship.
He further said that following discussions between the state government and the union Home Minister, an inter-ministerial team had visited Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts to assess the damage caused by the cyclone and floods.
According to Tripathy, the state government had announced an extensive relief and compensation package even as the damage assessment exercise was still underway.
Senior administrative officers had also been specifically assigned responsibility for the three affected districts to ensure effective implementation of relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures, he said.
UNI DP
Tags: #South Odisha flood devastation exposes BJD's 24 year infrastructure neglect:BJP
More News

04 Nov 2026 | 7:53 PM

Aizawl, Nov 4 (UNI) Mizoram University has recorded progress in international university rankings, research performance and environmental sustainability, strengthening its presence in India's higher education sector and on the global academic stage.

see more..

Three girls die after soil mound collapses in Kishanganj

04 Nov 2026 | 7:48 PM

Kishanganj, Nov 4 (UNI) Three girls were killed after a mound of soil collapsed on them in Haruwadanga, Sultan Ganj Ward No. 10, under Dighalbank block of Kishanganj district on Wednesday.

see more..

Myanmar national nabbed with drug in Manipur's Churachandpur

04 Nov 2026 | 7:48 PM

Imphal, Nov 4 (UNI) Manipur Police on Wednesday said that a Myanmar national was arrested with 9.05 kg of opium in Churachandpur district on November 2.

see more..

World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar, recognised as Centre of Excellence-Skills by MSDE

04 Nov 2026 | 7:35 PM

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4(UNI) In a significant boost to Odisha’s skill development initiatives, the World Skill Center (WSC), Bhubaneswar, has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence-Skills (CoE-Skills) by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India.

see more..

04 Nov 2026 | 7:28 PM

Aizawl, Nov 4 (UNI) Mizoram University has recorded progress in international university rankings, research performance and environmental sustainability, strengthening its presence in India's higher education sector and on the global academic stage.

see more..