Odisha announces Rs 110 crore relief package for flood-hit families as waters recede
CM Majhi assures further assistance after final damage assessment; Hirakud Dam scales down discharge as flood situation improves
By Sushant Kumar Dalai
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: The Odisha government on Monday announced an initial relief package of Rs 110 crore for families affected by the recent floods, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directing district administrations to ensure speedy disbursement of assistance to those who have suffered losses.
The package will cover immediate support for flood victims, including compensation for damaged houses, crop losses and livestock deaths. The announcement comes at a time when thousands of families across several districts are struggling to rebuild their lives after swollen rivers inundated villages, destroyed standing crops and disrupted livelihoods.
“Relief should reach the affected people without any delay,” Mr Majhi told officials while reviewing the flood situation. He directed field-level officials to accelerate the assessment of damages and extend assistance to eligible beneficiaries on priority.
The state government had earlier released Rs 26 crore during the peak of the flood crisis for rescue and relief operations. The funds were utilised for evacuation, temporary shelter arrangements, food distribution and emergency assistance to displaced families.
Officials said the Rs 110 crore package is only an initial measure and a comprehensive assessment of losses is underway across the affected districts. Additional financial assistance will be provided after completion of the survey, based on the extent of damage suffered by individuals and communities.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Odisha showed signs of improvement on Monday, with water levels in major rivers gradually receding. The Water Resources Department closed four more sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam, bringing down the number of open gates to 13 as the inflow into the reservoir declined.
The controlled reduction of water discharge followed a significant fall in upstream inflows after the recent spell of heavy rainfall. Authorities are continuing to monitor reservoir levels, river conditions and downstream areas to prevent any sudden rise in water levels.
Odisha water resources department chief engineer Dilip Raut said there was no longer any major flood threat in the state as river levels were steadily declining.
“Water levels in most rivers are receding and the flood situation has improved considerably,” Mr Raut said, adding that some low-lying areas remained waterlogged and vulnerable locations were under close watch.
The Mahanadi river system, which bore the brunt of the recent flooding, continues to be monitored closely by authorities. District administrations have been asked to maintain vigilance until complete normalcy returns.
The regulated release of water from Hirakud Dam is aimed at balancing reservoir safety with downstream flood management. The gradual closure of gates marks a significant easing of pressure on the state’s flood control machinery after days of intense rainfall and widespread inundation.
