Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: The Centre has approved the advance release of ₹500 crore as the second instalment of the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Odisha for the financial year 2026-27, providing a major financial boost to the state’s ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The approval was granted by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah as part of a larger package of ₹2,117.85 crore released to seven flood-affected states during the ongoing southwest monsoon.
Odisha is among the states that had already received the first instalment of the Central share of SDRF for the current financial year. In view of the prevailing flood situation, the Union Government approved the advance release of the second instalment to ensure uninterrupted relief and rescue operations.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Government has been closely monitoring the flood situation across the country since the onset of the monsoon in coordination with the affected states. It has extended assistance through the pre-deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and logistical support from the Ministry of Defence wherever required.
The latest approval is expected to strengthen Odisha’s ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures, facilitate assistance to flood-affected families and support the restoration of normal life in the affected regions.
Expressing gratitude to the Centre, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the timely assistance. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the ₹500 crore advance release would significantly bolster the state’s efforts to tackle the flood situation and provide relief to affected people.
Apart from Odisha, the Centre approved advance SDRF assistance of ₹44.55 crore for Arunachal Pradesh, ₹379.35 crore for Assam, ₹500 crore each for Gujarat and Maharashtra as advance release of the first instalment, and ₹193.95 crore for Himachal Pradesh as the advance release of the second instalment. The total assistance of ₹2,117.85 crore is aimed at supporting relief and response measures in flood-hit states during the current monsoon season.
