Odisha Steps Up Flood Rescue in Ganjam and Gajapati

On Friday, 30 October 2026, Odisha intensified relief and rescue operations in flood-hit Ganjam and Gajapati districts after heavy rain associated with Cyclone Arnab left thousands marooned for more than 24 hours. Patrapur block in Ganjam received 54 cm of rain in 24 hours; the Chief Secretary said the district’s rainfall over that period exceeded its annual average.

Air drops and rescue operations

Four defence helicopters were requisitioned to drop food packets at 21 inaccessible locations in Ganjam. Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard helicopters were also engaged in airlifting stranded people and delivering supplies. More than 100 of the 313 rescue teams deployed across Odisha were concentrated in Ganjam and Gajapati. National Disaster Response Force and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force personnel were expected to distribute cooked food as rainfall eased. About 50,000 people were severely affected in Ganjam.

The overflowing Rushikulya river inundated villages, damaged bridges and washed away roads. Sorada, Aska, Bhanjanagar and Purushottampur were among the worst-affected areas. A central team was scheduled to visit Odisha on 2 November to assess flood damage. In neighbouring Kandhamal district, at least three people, including a nine-month-old baby, died in a landslide on 30 October.

Important Facts for Exams

• Specialist team structure: Each NDRF battalion can field 18 self-contained, 45-person search-and-rescue teams, bringing together specialists such as engineers, dog squads and medical personnel.
• Disaster-response training: NDRF specialist training spans flood and rope rescue, collapsed-structure searches, medical first response and emergencies involving nuclear, biological or chemical hazards.