Kendrapada: Idol makers in Kendrapada and Jajpur districts are staring at huge losses following cancellation or scaling down of Ganesh Puja celebrations at several flood-hit educational institutions and public places.With floodwater yet to completely recede from several riverside villages in Aul, Rajkanika, Pattamundai and Rajnagar blocks of Kendrapada district and Dasarathpur, Bari, Binjharpur, Barachana and Rasulpur blocks of Jajpur district, many schools, colleges and puja committees have decided not to organise the festival on a large-scale this year.Idol makers said they usually receive large orders from schools, colleges and other educational institutions nearly a month before Ganesh Puja. However, recent floods have severely affected their business, as several institutions have either cancelled the celebrations or decided to keep them low-key.“We used to get huge orders from schools, colleges and other educational institutions every year before the festival. But the recent flood has washed away our hopes of earning more this year, as many institutions are not in a position to celebrate Ganesh Puja with enthusiasm. Several puja committees in flood-hit areas have also decided to skip the festival,” said Pravat Behera (63), an idol maker from Kumbharasahi on the outskirts of Kendrapada town.Cancellation of puja celebrations has directly affected income of idol makers. “Our business is facing 50 per cent losses due to the flood,” said Narendra Moharana (40) of Parakula village, while colouring an earthen idol.Idol makers in Jajpur district have also been badly affected. “Idol-making is one of the centerpieces of our family. But the recent flood has severely hit our work. This is one of the worst times for our business and we are in great distress,” said Pramod Behera (54), an idol maker from Balichandrapur.“Usually, by this time, we receive orders from Ganesh Puja organisers. However, many organisers have decided not to observe the puja this year because of the flood. We have been making idols for generations, but we have never faced such a scenario,” said Basant Behera of Kumbharasahi, Kendrapada.Impact of the flood has also dampened the festive spirit among residents. Sahadev Mallick (45) of Kaspa village under Dasarathpur block said Kani river had breached the village about two weeks ago, leaving the entire area marooned. “How can we celebrate when there is nothing to eat? Floodwater has only recently started receding. Officials have provided us only flattened rice,” he said.Students in flood-hit schools said the celebrations would be subdued this year. “We used to celebrate Ganesh Puja in a big way in our school. But the school was submerged in floodwater and muddy water is still visible inside classrooms. Ganesh Puja will be a low-key affair this year,” said Rajesh Das (12), a Class VI student of Malikapur School in the worst-affected Malikapur village under Dasarathpur block.Similarly, students of Padanipala village under Aul block said their school had remained submerged for nearly a month, forcing them to cancel the celebrations. “Every year we celebrate Ganesh Puja. But uncertainty is now haunting us as the government has failed to provide us relief. Our village school was completely marooned for a month, so we decided not to celebrate Ganesh Puja this year,” said Bichitrananda Das (13), a Class VII student of a high school at Padanipala.Residents of other flood-hit villages also said their immediate priority was rebuilding their lives rather than celebrating the festival. “How can we celebrate? There is nothing left here except damaged houses,” said Parikhita Jena of Singhgaon village under Pattamundai block.