Centre Releases ₹500 Crore Advance SDRF Aid to Odisha for Flood Relief

The Central government has approved the advance release of ₹500 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Odisha, providing crucial financial support for the state's ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts. The amount represents the second instalment of the Centre's share of SDRF for the 2026–27 financial year, released ahead of schedule in view of the prevailing flood situation.

Welcoming the decision, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the timely financial assistance would significantly strengthen the state's capacity to carry out rescue operations, relief distribution, rehabilitation of affected families, and restoration of essential services in flood-hit regions.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the advance release would enable the state government to extend necessary support to people affected by the floods while accelerating efforts to restore normalcy in impacted districts.

Majhi also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for extending timely assistance to Odisha during the natural disaster. He said the Centre's support reflects its commitment to standing with the state during times of crisis.

The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is a key mechanism for financing immediate disaster response measures, allowing states to undertake emergency rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities following natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides. Advance releases from the fund help ensure that state governments have adequate financial resources to respond swiftly without waiting for the scheduled disbursement of funds.

Odisha has been grappling with flood-related challenges following heavy rainfall in several regions, prompting relief operations and restoration work. The advance SDRF allocation is expected to strengthen the state's disaster management efforts and provide faster assistance to affected communities as authorities continue to monitor the situation.