Bhubaneswar: Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide urgent Central assistance to cyclone and flood-affected Koraput and Rayagada districts in southern Odisha, seeking a comprehensive damage assessment and a special rehabilitation package.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ulaka, who is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, highlighted the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, followed by torrential rainfall and flash floods across the two districts.
He said the heavy rainfall, flooding, waterlogging, falling trees and landslide risks had disrupted normal life, rural connectivity, agricultural activities and essential infrastructure in the predominantly tribal and mountainous regions.
According to reported rainfall figures cited by the MP, Pottangi recorded 188 mm of rainfall, while Semiliguda received 143.1 mm. The heavy downpour has raised concerns over possible damage to roads, bridges, agricultural lands and remote habitations.
Ulaka expressed particular concern over the affected blocks of Koraput district, including Pottangi, Semiliguda, Nandapur, Lamtaput, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Laxmipur. In Rayagada district, he highlighted the situation in Kalyansinghpur, Kashipur, Bissamcuttack, Muniguda, Chandrapur, Gudari and Gunupur.
“Koraput and Rayagada cannot be left to face repeated natural disasters without permanent solutions. Our tribal communities, farmers and remote villages deserve timely relief, adequate compensation, resilient infrastructure and long-term protection. The Central Government must intervene immediately and work closely with the State Government to ensure that no affected family or isolated habitation is left behind,” he said.
He further cautioned that recurring floods and extreme weather events could undermine years of progress in rural connectivity, agriculture and tribal development.
The MP urged the Prime Minister to treat the matter as a priority and ensure coordinated action between the Union and Odisha governments for immediate relief, rehabilitation and long-term disaster mitigation.
Copies of his representation have also been forwarded to the Collectors and District Magistrates of Koraput and Rayagada for necessary action.