The flood situation in Odisha continued to remain critical over the weekend, with heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system inundating large parts of the northern districts. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), approximately 2.70 lakh people have been affected across 503 villages in 52 blocks of six districts — Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kendrapara.
Authorities have evacuated 95,206 people from low-lying and waterlogged areas and shifted them to 226 relief camps. These shelters are providing cooked food, safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting and medical care. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that response operations are in full swing, with 118 teams including units from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and local police deployed for rescue and relief.
The flooding has been caused primarily by swollen rivers such as the Baitarani, Brahmani, Jalaka, Budhabalanga and their tributaries. In Balasore, the Subarnarekha had crossed the danger mark at Rajghat, though water levels in some rivers began showing signs of recession by Sunday morning. Agricultural land has been submerged in several areas, disrupting connectivity and daily life.
Healthcare remains a priority, with 62 medical teams positioned in the affected zones and stocks of medicines, ORS, IV fluids and anti-snake venom kept ready. Officials reported no major human casualties in the latest updates, attributing this to timely evacuations.
Compounding concerns, the India Meteorological Department issued a red warning on Sunday for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of the state as a fresh low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas. The system is expected to intensify, raising the possibility of further inundation.
State authorities are closely monitoring river levels and coordinating with district administrations. Relief and restoration work continues round the clock, with additional teams kept on standby. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain vigilant and follow official advisories as the situation evolves.