Seven lakh people affected by floods in 20 out of 30 districts in Odisha

Over 7 lakh individuals across 20 districts in Odisha have been impacted by floods and heavy rainfall caused by a deep depression weather system that developed over the state and neighboring Chhattisgarh on July 28, 2026. The main cause attributed to the flooding of the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers is an excess of 96.7% cumulative rainfall recorded in July.

The Special Relief Commissioner's office stated that the total rainfall in the state from July 1 to July 30, 2026, reached 644.1 mm, surpassing the normal average of 327.4 mm by 96.7%.

On July 30, 2026, the average rainfall recorded in the state during the 24 hours up to 8:30 a.m. was 20.3 mm, with the highest amount of 164 mm documented in Sinapali block of Nuapada district. Twelve blocks received more than 100 mm of rainfall, while 26 blocks experienced rainfall between 50 mm and 100 mm. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted an aerial assessment of the affected areas, confirming that the situation is under control. The government has confirmed three deaths, which will be verified through post-mortem examinations.

Bhadrak district, the worst affected, has an estimated 4 lakh people impacted, with the government opening 234 relief camps to accommodate over 1 lakh individuals. Balasore and Jajpur districts follow with affected populations of 1,46,504 and 1,37,010, respectively. A total of 136 response teams have been deployed across the state for rescue operations.

Eight people stranded on the roof of a poultry farmhouse near Birighat village in Nuapada district's Khariar block were rescued safely by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force. The situation may worsen as some embankments have reportedly breached at various locations, leading to a medium-level flood expected in the Mahanadi river system, as the Special Relief Commissioner's office reported.