Odisha floods affect over 37 lakh people, claim 7 lives: Minister

More than 37.43 lakh people across 26 districts of Odisha have been affected by floods and heavy rainfall this year, while seven people and 93 livestock have died, state minister Suresh Pujari told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a question from BJP legislator Tankadhar Tripathy, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister said 37,43,943 people had been impacted by the floods.

Keonjhar recorded four deaths, while Balasore, Dhenkanal and Jajpur reported one death each, according to the data presented by the minister.

The floods also damaged 2.12 lakh hectares of crops and 18,067 houses, Pujari said.

The state government has released Rs 234.84 crore to affected districts as compensation for damage to personal property, he said.

The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has submitted proposals worth Rs 478.92 crore for restoration and repair of public infrastructure damaged in the floods.

The proposals cover 3,485 school buildings, 934 community halls, 487 panchayat buildings and 2,656 anganwadi centres, the minister said.

All the proposals have been approved, with an initial Rs 136.71 crore released to the department, he added.

The Energy Department has also received Rs 8.2 crore for restoration and repair works.

Overall, the Odisha government has approved projects worth Rs 492.7 crore across various departments that reported flood-related damage, Pujari said.