Bhubaneswar: The Odisha administration has initiated a vigorous relief and rescue campaign in the flood-impacted Jajpur district, assisting over 132,000 residents as extensive flooding has affected hundreds of villages across six blocks.
As per the latest report from the Civil Supplies Officer in Jajpur, efforts to provide relief have been significantly increased throughout the district, with 242 relief camps established to accommodate those affected. The flooding has impacted six specific blocks: Dasarathpur, Jajpur, Binjharpur, Barchana, Korei, and Bari, affecting 101 gram panchayats and 297 villages.
So far, a total of 132,353 individuals have received assistance, which includes 105,729 adults and 27,524 children. The Dasarathpur block has seen the highest number of beneficiaries, reaching 39,162, followed by Jajpur block with 27,003 individuals receiving aid.
Officials indicated that the main focus of the administration has been the prompt distribution of dry food to families stranded by the floods. As part of these relief efforts, 1,305.96 quintals of flattened rice (chuda) and 178.62 quintals of jaggery (gur) have been provided in the affected regions. It is noteworthy that no rice has been distributed in the current relief initiative.
Dasarathpur is the most severely affected area, with floodwaters covering 59 villages across 19 gram panchayats. The administration has set up 87 relief camps in this block, where 39,162 individuals have received shelter and aid. This block has also received 382.50 quintals of chuda and 39.91 quintals of gur.
In Jajpur block, flooding has impacted 37 villages in 20 gram panchayats, leading to the establishment of 22 relief camps that have accommodated 27,003 people.
Bari block reported the highest number of inundated villages, with 98 villages across 29 gram panchayats affected. Authorities have opened 70 relief camps, assisting 20,376 residents.
Both Korei and Barchana blocks have also experienced significant flooding. Korei has reported 39 affected villages and 20,655 beneficiaries, while Barchana has seen flooding in 28 villages, reaching 20,757 individuals with relief.
In Binjharpur block, flooding has affected 36 villages within 11 gram panchayats, with 39 relief camps established where 4,400 individuals have received assistance.
Records indicate that floodwaters began encroaching on various parts of the district between the afternoon of July 28 and the morning of July 30, leading to large-scale evacuation and relief measures.
“The district administration, in collaboration with various government departments, continues to closely monitor the situation and is ensuring a steady supply of relief materials to the affected communities. We anticipate a significant improvement in the flood situation shortly,” stated Jitendra Biswal, representative of Jajpur MP Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera.
