Seven lakh people affected by floods in 20 out of 30 districts in Odisha
Over 7 lakh people across 20 districts of Odisha have been affected by floods and heavy rainfall resulting from a deep depression weather system that
Over 7 lakh people across 20 districts of Odisha have been affected by floods and heavy rainfall resulting from a deep depression weather system that formed over Odisha and Chhattisgarh on July 28, 2026. The primary reason attributed to flooding in the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers is 96.7% excess cumulative rainfall recorded in July. “The cumulative rainfall in the State from July 1 to July 30, 2026 stood at 644.1 mm against the normal average of 327.4 mm, registering a surplus of 96.7%,” the office of the Special Relief Commissioner said.
The average rainfall recorded in the State for the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on July 30, 2026 was 20.3 mm. The highest rainfall of 164 mm was recorded in Sinapali block of Nuapada district. As many as 12 blocks received more than 100 mm of rainfall, while 26 blocks recorded rainfall between 50 mm and 100 mm, it added. Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted an aerial review of the flood affected areas. The situation is under control, Mr. Pujari said.
The government has received reports of three deaths, which will be verified by post mortem examinations, according to an official statement. Bhadrak is the worst affected district, with over 4 lakh people estimated to have been impacted. The government has opened 234 relief camps in Bhadrak district to accommodate more than 1 lakh people. Balasore and Jajpur districts follow, with their affected populations estimated at 1,46,504 and 1,37,010, respectively. As many as 136 response teams have been deployed across the State to carry out rescue operations.
Eight people, who were stranded on the roof of a poultry farmhouse amid rising floodwaters near Birighat village under Khariar block of Nuapada district were rescued safely by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force. The situation may worsen as some embankments have reportedly been breached at different locations. A medium-level flood is expected in the Mahanadi river system as its upper catchment has received heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours, the Special Relief Commissioner’s office said.
The BriefWire