A severe cholera outbreak has gripped Odisha, claiming 14 lives and hospitalising hundreds of people, prompting a sharp rebuke from former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik.
In a poignant post on ‘X’ Sunday, Patnaik expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis, which has disrupted life across districts such as Jajpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Puri, Cuttack, and Kendujhar. He urged the current BJP-led state government to take immediate and decisive steps to contain the spread, criticising their perceived casual approach to the public health emergency.
ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଜୀବନକୁ ସଙ୍କଟରେ ପକାଇଲାଣି ହଇଜା। ଦୀର୍ଘ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ଯାହା ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳିନଥିଲା ତାହା ଏବେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ଜନଜୀବନକୁ ଅସ୍ତବ୍ୟସ୍ତ କରିଦେଲାଣି।
ଯାଜପୁର, କେନ୍ଦ୍ରାପଡ଼ା, ଭଦ୍ରକ, ପୁରୀ, କଟକ ଓ କେନ୍ଦୁଝର ଆଦି ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ହଇଜା ଭୟଙ୍କର ରୂପ ନେଉଥିବା ବେଳେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଜିଲ୍ଲାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହା ବ୍ୟାପିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲାଣି।
ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 15, 2025
Patnaik, who led Odisha for 24 years until June 2024, highlighted the gravity of the situation, extending condolences to the families of the deceased.
As the situation unfolds, pressure mounts on the state administration to prioritise health infrastructure and implement stringent control measures.
With the cholera wave showing no signs of abating, Odisha stands at a critical juncture, awaiting decisive action to safeguard its people.
