Jajpur Floods: Binjharpur Panchayats Face Acute Shortage of Water, Food and Power
Kalyan, Kamardiha, Khannagar cut off as supply lines fail, residents await admin help.
Binjharpur, Jajpur | August 19, 2026
A prolonged power outage and flood-induced damage to supply routes have left residents of Kalyan, Kamardiha and Khannagar panchayats in Binjharpur constituency struggling without drinking water, cooking gas, food and electricity for several days.
With roads submerged and supply lines snapped, essential services have collapsed across the three panchayats. Locals say darkness has fallen over entire villages after the grid went down, and there has been no restoration so far.
*Hunger and Thirst in Flood-hit Villages*
People in the affected areas report they are running out of stock and have not received fresh supplies.
"There is no drinking water. Cooking gas cylinders are empty and markets are closed. We are staying without food because trucks cannot reach us," said a resident of Kalyan panchayat.
In Kamardiha and Khannagar, families said they have been forced to use unsafe water sources and cook on firewood where possible. Elderly residents and children are the worst hit, with no access to clean water or hot meals.
The blackout has added to the crisis. With no power, mobile phones are dead, water pumps are not working, and nights are spent in complete darkness.
*Supply Lines Cut, Administration Yet to Reach*
According to locals, flood waters have damaged the main approach roads and disrupted electricity feeders connecting the three panchayats. That has cut off the supply of food packets, drinking water pouches and LPG.
Residents allege that administrative teams have not reached the interiors of Kalyan, Kamardiha and Khannagar yet, despite repeated appeals. Relief materials reportedly dispatched for Binjharpur block have not made it to these villages.
"We sent messages, but no officials have come. People are sitting in the dark with empty stomachs," a panchayat member from Khannagar said.
Demand for Immediate Relief
Villagers are urging the district administration and Jajpur flood control teams to prioritize the three panchayats for emergency supplies. Their key demands include:
- *Drinking water*: Tankers and packaged water
- *Food*: Dry rations and cooked food distribution
- *Cooking gas*: Emergency cylinder refills
- *Power restoration*: Repair of damaged feeders and transformers
With weather forecasts indicating more rain in the region, residents fear conditions will worsen if help does not arrive soon.
District officials were not available for comment at the time of filing this report.