- Four valuable lives were lost due to the Government’s lack of preparedness
- Naveen’s policy that every life is precious has become meaningless for the present Government
- Loss of human lives has now become a routine occurrence
- While Naveen’s Government followed a Zero Casualty policy, the present Government has become casual
Bhubaneswar, 29/07/2026:While continuous rainfall has led to flood situations in various districts of the State, the Odisha Government has admitted that four people lost their lives after being swept away in floodwaters. The BijuJanata Dal (BJD) has alleged that the State Government has completely failed in flood management.
Addressing a press conference held at SankhaBhawan today, BJD leaders and MLAs Shri Byomakesh Ray, Shri Gautam Buddha Das, and Shri SanjibMallick highlighted the State Government’s gross failure in managing the flood situation.
Shri Byomakesh Ray stated that while flood-like conditions caused by incessant rains have left people in distress, the State Government has failed to provide even basic assistance to the affected population. Despite prior warnings issued by the Meteorological Department, the Government had made no preparations, resulting in the loss of four precious lives. He held Revenue Minister Shri Suresh Pujari entirely responsible for the Government’s failure in flood management. He further stated that during the Naveen Government, Odisha’s disaster management model was globally acclaimed. The policy that every life is precious was implemented with utmost sincerity. Today, however, loss of lives has become a common occurrence in every such incident. Due to Government negligence, a fire mishap at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack claimed 13 valuable lives. Similarly, four people lost their lives during this year’s RathYatra due to the Government’s negligence. Since the BJP Government assumed office, valuable lives have been lost during RathYatra every year.
Shri Gautam Buddha Das stated that whenever disaster management is discussed, the entire country and the world look towards Odisha. During Shri Naveen Patnaik’s tenure as Chief Minister, the Zero Casualty policy became a global example in disaster management. However, after abandoning the Zero Casualty approach, the present Government has become casual in its attitude, making the loss of innocent lives a routine occurrence. Far from controlling floods, the Government has failed even to manage rainwater effectively. The Government’s incompetence is evident for all to see.
Shri SanjibMallick stated that the Government has failed to provide even the most basic essential commodities to flood-affected people. While a majority of the Panchayat areas in the Bhadrak Assembly Constituency remain submerged, the Government has failed to supply dry food and relief materials to the affected areas. With rainfall continuing across the State, several other districts are also facing the threat of floods. The BijuJanata Dal has warned the State Government that if the situation does not improve, the party will take to the streets to safeguard the interests of the people.
