A powerful deep depression over the Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha coast has brought relentless heavy downpours across Odisha, leaving at least 10 districts battling severe waterlogging, flash floods, and agricultural disruption.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state administration has launched large-scale rescue and relief operations, following a high-level review of the situation.
Extent of the Impact
The ongoing deluge has severely disrupted normal life in both rural and urban areas:
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Districts Affected: 10 districts, primarily across Southern, Northern, and Coastal Odisha.
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Villages & Blocks: 80 blocks, 325 Gram Panchayats, and 1,071 villages are inundated.
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Urban Areas: 49 wards across 10 urban local bodies face heavy urban flooding.
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Evacuations: Over 15,000 people from low-risk and landslide-prone areas have been moved to safe shelters.
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Crop Damage: Standing crops across 4,480 hectares of farmland have been submerged.
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Casualties: Two deaths have been reported—one each in Ganjam and Mayurbhanj—due to wall collapses triggered by intense rain.
Southern districts like Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Gajapati recorded massive rainfall totals, crossing 300 mm in multiple locations.
Rising River Levels & Northern Odisha Alert
Major rivers across the state are under close monitoring:
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Northern Rivers on High Alert: The Jalaka, Budhabalanga, Baitarani, and Kani rivers have crossed or are hovering close to warning levels.
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Jharkhand Inflow Impact: Water coming in from neighbouring Jharkhand has caused severe flooding in Mayurbhanj, affecting nearly 20 blocks.
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Downstream Risks: Minister Pujari cautioned that if the floodwaters reach Balasore by evening, low-lying regions in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur could face imminent flooding.
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Controlled Systems: Rivers in South Odisha—such as the Indravati and Kolab—remain stable with no current threat of flooding. Hirakud and Indravati reservoir discharges are being systematically managed.
Government Response & Relief Measures
The state government has deployed teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to handle rescue missions.
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Shelter & Basics: Evacuated families in relief shelters are being supplied with cooked meals, safe drinking water, and emergency medical services.
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School Closures: Educational institutions and Anganwadi centres have been suspended in severely impacted districts.
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Zero-Casualty Mandate: District collectors have been instructed to maintain a 24×7 vigil, with the state reiterating its strict “Zero Casualty Policy.”
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the Water Resources Department are monitoring river inflows continuously. Residents living in vulnerable low-lying areas are advised to stay alert and co-operate with evacuation procedures.
