Severe Flooding in Odisha Affects Millions Due to Heavy Rainfall

Flooding Crisis in Odisha

In Odisha, significant rainfall in the upper catchment areas has led to the release of a large volume of water from the Hirakud Dam into the Mahanadi River, causing a rise in water levels. As a result, approximately seven lakh individuals have been affected across 20 out of 30 districts, with low-lying areas inundated. The increase in the Mahanadi's water level has also caused several of its tributaries to swell, exacerbating the situation.

Fortunately, the absence of rain over the past day has provided some relief to the state. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that due to heavy water flow from the upper catchment areas in Chhattisgarh, 14 gates of the Hirakud Dam have been opened, releasing over two lakh cusecs of water, an increase from the previous two gates.

The minister noted, "It will take approximately 36 to 40 hours for the water to reach Mundali near Cuttack." As of Friday morning, the water level in the reservoir was recorded at 623.52 feet, compared to its full storage capacity of 630 feet. The dam was receiving about 369,322 cusecs of water per second while releasing approximately 65,543 cusecs downstream. Pujari mentioned that over eight lakh cusecs of water should be released from Mundali within 36 hours to accommodate the additional water being discharged from Hirakud.

He expressed relief that there has been no rainfall in the state and upper catchment areas for the past 24 hours. However, some regions in Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, and Jagatsinghpur have become submerged, and preparations are underway to alleviate the difficulties faced by residents. The state is operating 520 relief centers in northern and coastal areas, with provisions made for around two lakh individuals. So far, approximately 1.90 lakh people have been relocated to safer locations.

Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil reported that the recent flooding has impacted over seven lakh people across 20 of the state's 30 districts. He added that 136 rescue teams from the NDRF, ODRAF, and fire services have been deployed in various districts. Patil also mentioned that the rise in the Mahanadi's water level has caused its tributaries—Luna, Karandiya, Chitrotpala, Paika, Salia, Devi, Kandal, Kuakhai, Kushabhadra, Daya, and Bhargavi—to overflow.

Tragically, three fatalities have been reported due to flood-related incidents.