Ganjam Floods: Was Odisha’s Disaster a Man-Made Catastrophe?

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By Pradeep Kumar Panda

Odisha’s BJP government failed to manage reservoirs and issue timely warnings despite IMD alerts, turning heavy rainfall following Cyclone Arnab into a devastating flood crisis in Ganjam.

Bhubaneshwar, November 2, 2026 — From 23 October itself, advance warnings had been issued regarding the possible cyclone. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had repeatedly issued alerts. Even between 27 and 29 October, there were forecasts of heavy rainfall in southern Odisha, and a red alert had also been issued for Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Yet what unfolded was not merely a natural disaster; it was a man-made catastrophe. Due to the serious failures of the BJP government’s Water Resources Department and administrative machinery, the people of Ganjam became victims of an unprecedented flood.

As has come to light, on 28 October the Bhanjanagar, Sorada and Dhanei reservoirs were nearly 80% full. Only after the sudden surge in water flow caused by heavy rain were the gates of these reservoirs opened. And that too without giving any advance warning to the people in the downstream areas! As a result, a terrifying disaster struck the residents of Ganjam. An unprecedented flood situation was created, and widespread loss of life and property occurred. Sadly, that wrong decision inflicted unspeakable suffering on lakhs of people and caused them enormous losses.

In the Rushikulya river basin there are many medium-sized reservoirs along with hundreds of minor irrigation projects (MIPs), diversion weirs and check dams. Yet why was the required quantity of water not released from them in advance? During flood or cyclone situations, this is a standard operating procedure of the Water Resources Department. Releasing water in advance to create storage space, warning the downstream areas, and releasing water in a controlled manner — these are basic responsibilities. But here that did not happen. Instead, the gates were suddenly opened, causing the water levels in the Rushikulya and its tributaries to cross the danger mark. At places like Purushottampur, Aska and Sorada, the river flowed far above the danger level.

Who is responsible for such unforgivable neglect? Who is accountable for this man-made misery? Will the BJP government answer for the suffering of lakhs of people?

A snapshot of the losses in the affected areas makes the heart tremble. In Ganjam district alone, more than 300 villages were completely submerged. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and move to relief shelters. According to official figures, more than 59,000 people were evacuated. While more than 42,000 people were affected in Ganjam alone, a large number of people in Gajapati were also in danger. More than 75,000 hectares of crops were submerged and destroyed. Over 1,600 houses were destroyed or severely damaged. Roads, bridges, irrigation systems and the electricity network suffered extensive damage. Railway services were disrupted at several places. Landslides in Kandhamal caused loss of life. Although the government claimed zero cyclone deaths, the actual suffering and losses of the people were immense.

Unprecedented rainfall of 546 mm was recorded at Patrapur and 503 mm at Sorada. Such intense rainfall may be a rare event, but the failure in reservoir management despite advance warnings is unforgivable. The government claims that it had released some water in advance. But the reality that the reservoirs were at high levels and the sudden opening of the gates clearly proves that adequate precautions were not taken. Opening the gates without prior warning to the downstream population is a serious failure. While people were sleeping at night, the sudden rush of water washed away many houses, livestock and crops.

This incident is not merely a disaster for Ganjam. It has exposed the weaknesses in the state’s disaster management system. After coming to power, the BJP government had claimed improvements in disaster management. But this episode showed clear failures in coordination, communication and decision-making processes despite advance warnings. The lack of coordination between the Water Resources Department and the district administration was evident. The system for warning the downstream population was either absent or failed.

Opposition parties have raised serious questions about these failures. They have stated that despite advance warnings, there were errors in reservoir management. Allegations have also been made that illegal sand mining had weakened the river embankments. The government must answer all these questions. Merely distributing relief or conducting aerial surveys cannot absolve it of responsibility.

Lakhs of people have lost their homes, crops and livelihoods. Many families are still living in relief shelters. It remains to be seen how quickly the government acts on rehabilitation and compensation. But after such a major disaster, relief alone is not enough. Accountability is necessary. Which officers failed at which level, why water was not released in advance, why the downstream areas were not warned — the people have a right to clear answers to all these questions.

Odisha has previously faced many major cyclones and floods. After the 1999 super cyclone, the state had built a strong disaster management system. Maintaining and further strengthening that tradition was the responsibility of the present government. But the floods following Cyclone Arnab showed that cracks remain in that system — especially in reservoir management.

Lessons must be learnt from this incident. Firm steps are needed so that people’s lives and property remain safe when such disasters strike in the future. The reservoir management policy needs to be made clearer and stricter, the system for advance warning to downstream areas must be strengthened, illegal sand mining must be stopped, and river embankments must be reinforced. If the government fails to fulfil these responsibilities, the people’s suffering will only increase.

Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods have dealt a deep blow to the people of Ganjam and southern Odisha. The responsibility for this blow does not lie solely with nature; it is also the result of the government’s neglect and failed management. Will the BJP government answer for the misery of lakhs of people? This question remains unanswered even today. People hope that the government will acknowledge this failure, take responsibility, and take firm steps to ensure that such an incident is not repeated. Otherwise, this stain will remain recorded in history.

(This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author’s own.)