Odisha starts helicopter food drops for flood-isolated villages
Flooding turns basic food access into an emergency air operation.
Overview
’s heavy rain flooded 299 villages in and 711 in , cutting off roads and other routes. Rescue teams evacuated thousands, including 17,441 people in . Strong currents, landslides, blocked roads and damaged phone links left about 2,000 people stranded in 70 villages. About 100 to 200 people may need airlifts.
The began helicopter rescues. and aircraft dropped food at 21 sites in because vehicles and boats could not reach them safely. Shelters held about 23,300 people in and 21,782 in . Crews are clearing roads, restoring phone links and handing out cooked food as floodwaters fall. A will inspect damage on November 2, guiding further aid.
Timeline
A central team prepares a November 2 assessment of Odisha flood damage
A was scheduled to visit Odisha on November 2 to assess damage caused by the floods and help determine further relief requirements.
Odisha expands shelters, cooked-food distribution and access restoration
Relief operations continued through , cooked-food distribution and working in both districts. Authorities also focused on clearing roads and so vehicles and supplies could again reach villages that remained isolated after the flood peak.
Defence helicopters begin food drops at 21 Ganjam locations
Four defence helicopters began at 21 identified locations in flood-affected Ganjam, with personnel stationed to distribute the supplies. Reports differ on whether the helicopters were operated by the Navy alone or by both the Navy and .
Odisha requisitions defence helicopters to deliver food to flood-isolated villages
Odisha to food packets at 21 identified locations in Ganjam where flooding had disrupted access. Officials said the locations had personnel to collect and distribute the supplies.
Coast Guard helicopters begin evacuating people from inaccessible areas
The began airlifting stranded residents from flood-hit and landslide-affected parts of Ganjam. Officials also requested Coast Guard assistance to deliver food packets to communities that could not be reached by road.
Strong currents and blocked routes prevent normal ground rescues
Flooded roads, landslides and powerful currents prevented rescue teams and vehicles from reaching several isolated settlements. The operational barriers led the state to coordinate with the and seek helicopter support for both evacuations and emergency supply delivery.
Floodwaters leave about 2,000 people stranded across 70 villages
The response shifted from broad evacuation to an access crisis when officials reported roughly 2,000 people marooned across about 70 villages, mainly in Ganjam and Gajapati. Authorities said residents at four locations might require , with an estimated 100 to 200 people potentially needing airlifts.
NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services and district teams evacuate thousands
Odisha deployed 79 rescue teams from the , , Fire Services and district administrations. In Gajapati, rescue teams moved 17,441 people to safety, while evacuation and shelter operations expanded across both districts before access deteriorated further.
Flooding affects 299 villages in Ganjam and 711 villages in Gajapati
Officials reported that floodwaters had affected 299 villages in and 711 in . Blocked roads, landslides and damaged communication links made it difficult for authorities to assess conditions and move supplies across the two districts.
Cyclone Arnab’s heavy rain triggers flash floods in Ganjam and Gajapati
Incessant rain linked to caused flash flooding across southern Odisha, with rivers and low-lying areas in Ganjam and Gajapati rising rapidly. The flooding damaged roads, disrupted communications and began isolating communities from normal ground access.