District Administration Told to Expedite Evacuation, Restore Services and Fast-Track Damage Assessment

Dasarathpur, Jajpur, Odisha | August 17, 2026: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday visited Jajpur district to review the flood situation and directed officials to prioritize rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the worst-affected areas.

The Chief Minister toured Kaspa and Tarapada panchayats in Dasarathpur block, where the Baitarani and Brahmani rivers have overflowed following days of continuous rain. He met residents of Ramchandrapur, Balada and Dobhabil villages and heard their concerns regarding property damage, disruption to daily life and immediate requirements for food, drinking water and medical assistance.

He was accompanied by Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj, BJP Odisha Rajya Sabhapati Manmohan Samal and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujhari.

On-Ground Inspection

The team visited flood-affected villages in Dasarathpur, Korei and Dharmasala blocks. The Chief Minister inspected relief camps, reviewed arrangements for food, drinking water, medical assistance and livestock fodder, and interacted with families taking shelter there.

Later, at the Jajpur Collectorate, Majhi chaired a review meeting with district administration officials, ODRAF, NDRF and representatives of various line departments.

Key Directives

During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that protecting human lives remains the top priority and issued five immediate directions:

• Expedite evacuation: Deploy boats and emergency teams to shift people from low-lying and marooned areas to safer locations.
• Strengthen embankments: Deploy engineers to address breaches and reinforce vulnerable stretches along the Baitarani and Brahmani rivers.
• Ensure health services: Arrange mobile health units at relief camps and undertake sanitation measures to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
• Restore connectivity: Prioritize the repair of roads, bridges and power infrastructure to facilitate the movement of relief materials.
• Assess damage: Conduct joint assessments of crop losses and damage to houses to facilitate timely compensation.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujhari told the meeting that emergency funds had been released to the district. Additional supplies of dry food, tarpaulins and medicines were also being dispatched.

Leaders Assure Support

Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj said students in affected areas would receive necessary support. Colleges currently being used as relief shelters would also be assisted in resuming normal activities.

BJP Odisha Rajya Sabhapati Manmohan Samal said party workers were involved in relief distribution across the panchayats and would coordinate with the administration to help ensure that relief reaches affected households.

Present Status

District officials reported that more than 180 villages had been affected and several roads remained cut off. More than 40 relief camps were operational across the district.

Water levels in the Baitarani were showing a receding trend, although officials were asked to remain alert over the following 48 hours.

The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of rescue teams and volunteers and said a comprehensive damage report would be prepared for submission to the Centre to seek additional assistance.