Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered a serious flood situation across Odisha, with major rivers flowing above danger levels and northern districts bearing the brunt.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed a press conference that by 5 pm on Wednesday, five districts — Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur — had seen 54 blocks, 779 panchayats, 1,591 villages and 14 urban areas affected. In the urban areas alone, 165 wards were impacted. A total of 5.26 lakh people have been hit by the floods, with more than one lakh residents relocated to safer places. Free community kitchens have been arranged for 86,000 people, and further evacuations continued into the night. Over 1,313 livestock were also affected.
Rivers including the Baitarani, Salandi, Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalka continue to rise, while the Mahanadi is also swelling. Water levels in most other rivers, however, have started declining, and the minister said the overall flood situation in the state is now under control.
Four deaths linked to the floods have been reported, mainly from Keonjhar. One fire service personnel died from electric shock while operating a pump for water drainage, an elderly person was killed when a wall collapsed, and a child was swept away by floodwaters. The Chief Minister has been briefed.
A high-level review meeting chaired by Minister Pujari was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil. The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation from Delhi. Western and southern Odisha districts remain on high alert, with senior officers assigned to each district, police and officials deployed at vulnerable points, and instructions issued to immediately use sandbags wherever breaches occur.
Heavy to very heavy rain has been recorded in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput. The entire state has been partially affected. Hirakud reservoir levels are rising due to rainfall in Chhattisgarh; additional gates may be opened if required. Up to 8–9 lakh cusecs of water could reach Naraj without major concern. All departments are prepared with medicines and relief materials. The fire service has already rescued more than 400 people and animals.
Farmers have suffered crop losses. No significant additional rainfall is expected in the coming days, reducing the risk of a further surge. Once water levels recede, the government will assess damage to farmland and houses and provide compensation. Cooked food will continue to be supplied for as long as needed.
Authorities remain vigilant as the state works to stabilise the situation and support affected communities.
