Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik will stay away from Diwali celebrations this year, citing the destruction caused by floods and landslides in parts of the state after Cyclone Arnab.
The Chief Minister’s Office said no Diwali celebration would be held at Majhi’s residence in view of the devastation caused by flooding, particularly in southern Odisha. It also asked well-wishers and citizens not to bring gifts or bouquets to the chief minister’s residence for the festival.
Majhi appealed to people to remain sensitive to the situation in the affected areas and support families hit by the disaster. The decision comes as several districts continue to deal with the consequences of flooding and landslides linked to the cyclone, according to the report.
Patnaik’s office separately announced that the Biju Janata Dal president and leader of opposition would also refrain from Diwali celebrations. His decision was described as an expression of solidarity with people affected by floods and landslides in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.
Patnaik visited flood-affected areas on Saturday and said flooding triggered by Cyclone Arnab had caused extensive damage in Ganjam and Gajapati, leaving residents in severe distress. He also referred to landslides in Kandhamal, where some people trapped under debris were still reported missing, according to his statement.
The announcements place the focus on the continuing impact of the disaster across southern Odisha, where flooding has affected communities and landslides have created additional risks in hilly areas. The report did not provide a consolidated official figure for the number of affected residents, the extent of infrastructure damage or the status of rescue and relief operations.
The two leaders’ decisions also mark a rare convergence in the public response of the ruling side and the Opposition around the suffering of disaster-affected communities. Their offices have framed the cancellation of celebrations as a gesture of solidarity rather than as a change to any relief or rehabilitation programme.
Majhi’s office urged citizens to extend help to affected families, while Patnaik’s statement highlighted the distress in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal. Further details on relief measures, missing persons and restoration work were not available in the supplied report.
