Bhubaneswar, July 29 (UDN): The flood situation in Odisha continued to remain grim on Wednesday, with four people losing their lives and more than 2.03 lakh residents affected across six districts, according to the latest flood status report released by the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office.

SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said that as of 9 am, floodwaters had impacted 2,03,208 people spread across 748 villages, 233 gram panchayats, 44 blocks, six urban local bodies (ULBs) and four municipal wards.

As part of the ongoing relief operations, district administrations have evacuated 27,967 people from vulnerable areas to safer locations. However, 226 villages remain marooned, with rescue and relief efforts continuing on a war footing.

The floods have also taken a toll on livestock, with nine animals reported dead, while extensive damage has been caused to houses, standing crops and public infrastructure.

Balasore Worst-Hit

Balasore remains the worst-affected district, where 1,09,429 people from 378 villages in 12 blocks have been impacted by the floods.

Authorities have shifted 19,080 residents to safer places, while 654 houses have been damaged. The district administration has opened 125 relief camps, where 16,987 people are being provided cooked meals and other essential assistance.

Situation in Other Districts

In Bhadrak, nearly 80,000 people across 220 villages in five blocks have been affected. So far, 5,330 people have been evacuated, and 41 relief camps are functioning to shelter displaced families.

Jajpur has reported 11,156 affected people in 75 villages. The administration has evacuated 1,640 people, while crop damage has been reported over 4,072 hectares. Around 20 relief camps are currently operational in the district.

In Mayurbhanj, 2,487 people have been affected, with 1,917 residents shifted to safer locations. The district has reported damage to 87 houses and crop losses across 3,744 hectares.

Sambalpur has reported 88 affected people, with damage to seven houses due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

Meanwhile, Dhenkanal has reported four human fatalities linked to rain and flood-related incidents, along with damage to 13 houses.

Widespread Crop and Property Damage

According to the SRC’s report, floods have damaged 761 houses and affected standing crops over 7,901 hectares across the six affected districts.

The State government has intensified evacuation, relief distribution and restoration work, with NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services and district administration teams continuing rescue operations in flood-hit areas.

Officials said the situation is being monitored round the clock, and additional relief measures will be undertaken wherever necessary as river levels and weather conditions continue to be closely watched.