Severe Flooding in Northern Odisha Affects Over 500,000 Residents

Severe flooding in northern Odisha has left over 500,000 residents affected, with three fatalities reported. The state government is actively managing the situation, deploying ministers and senior officials to oversee relief efforts. Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river has raised concerns about rising water levels. Rescue operations are underway, with thousands relocated to safety. The government is closely monitoring the situation and has canceled employee leaves in affected districts. The India Meteorological Department has also forecasted more heavy rainfall in the coming days, raising further concerns.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2026, 04:37 IST

Flood Situation in Northern Odisha

Bhubaneswar/Balasore, July 29 – The flood situation in northern Odisha remained critical on Wednesday. According to officials, at least three individuals, including a firefighter, have lost their lives, while more than 500,000 people have been impacted by the flooding. The state government has initiated preparations for 'moderate flooding' in the Mahanadi river system due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas caused by deep pressure.

Currently in Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi has instructed three ministers—Surya Banshi Suraj, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, and K.C. Mahapatra—to monitor the flood situation on-site. Previously, three senior IAS officers were dispatched to northern Odisha to oversee flood management and relief efforts. By Wednesday evening, 188,002 individuals had been relocated to safer areas and accommodated in 396 relief camps.

Flooding has damaged over a thousand homes in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar. Chief Minister Majhi stated on social media, "I am continuously monitoring the flood situation in the state. The three ministers have been directed to assess the affected areas and expedite relief operations."

District officials have been instructed to remain fully alert and ensure assistance reaches every affected family. He emphasized that the state government stands with the impacted individuals and urged citizens to cooperate with local administration. While northern Odisha grapples with flooding, heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh has raised new concerns about rising water levels in the river system. Dilip Kumar Raut, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, informed reporters, "The rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi has increased the likelihood of moderate flooding in the river system."

He reported that as of Wednesday evening at six o'clock, the water level at the Hirakud reservoir was 617.91 feet, while its full capacity is 630 feet. Raut mentioned, "Currently, water is being released from two gates, and this will continue until the water level reaches 620 feet. If inflow from the upper areas increases, additional gates may need to be opened."

By Wednesday evening, the water flow near Mundali, close to Cuttack, was recorded at 5.87 lakh cusecs, which is expected to rise to nearly nine lakh cusecs by Thursday evening. He noted that a flow of over 8.5 lakh cusecs in the Mahanadi river system is considered 'moderate flooding' and could inundate several parts of the delta region.

However, he dismissed the possibility of a major flood. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that all three fatalities occurred in Keonjhar district. He stated that a firefighter died due to electrocution while on duty, and an elderly person lost their life when a wall collapsed.

Additionally, a child's body was discovered in the floodwaters. The Chief Minister expressed condolences for the death of firefighter Chandan Patnaik. Sudhanshu Sarangi, Director General of Fire Services, reported that Patnaik died due to electrocution while attempting to remove water from a flooded area.

In the past 24 hours, firefighters have rescued 212 individuals from inundated villages. Officials indicated that Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Dhenkanal districts have been the hardest hit by the flooding. Furthermore, heavy rainfall due to deep pressure has also led to flooding in Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Malkangiri districts.

The administration has accommodated over 188,000 displaced individuals in multi-purpose cyclone shelters, schools, and anganwadi centers. The waters of the Budhabalanga and Jalka rivers have entered several villages in Balasore, while the swelling of the Baitarani, Budha, and Salandi rivers has inundated many areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. According to the Water Resources Department, all major rivers in the region are flowing above the danger mark.

For rescue and relief operations, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services have been deployed. The state government has appointed three senior IAS officers in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts to coordinate flood management and relief efforts. Pujari stated that the government is continuously monitoring the rising water levels in the Mahanadi and has canceled the leave of government employees in flood-affected districts.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Koraput districts on July 30. The weather department also predicts heavy rainfall in Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Malkangiri districts on Thursday.