Odisha flood situation grim as water level of many rivers rising, IMD forecasts more rains

Heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours has intensified the flood situation in Odisha's northern districts on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as water levels in numerous rivers continue to rise, according to officials. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level review meeting following a visit to affected villages in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts, where approximately 9.40 lakh people have been impacted by the floods. The CM reported that 3.30 lakh affected individuals have been evacuated by the State government.

Although the depression that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal has moved over Jharkhand and parts of Gangetic West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that very heavy rainfall may persist in certain regions of Odisha on August 18. The IMD issued an orange warning (action required) of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Baragarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Subarnapur, and Bolangir districts, as well as a yellow warning (be aware) of heavy rainfall in the aforementioned districts.

Additionally, the IMD forecasted thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty surface wind speeds of up to 30-40 kmph, potentially affecting the same regions.

Along the Odisha Coast, the rough sea conditions prompted the IMD to caution fishermen against venturing into the sea on August 18. In Mayurbhanj district, the Special Relief Commissioner's office recorded 273 mm of rainfall, while Rairangpur documented 207 mm. Balasore received 93.1 mm of rainfall. Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout stated that the water levels in rivers Baitarani and Brahmani, responsible for recent floods in Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara districts, are not yet elevated but are expected to surge due to the heavy rainfall in Sundergarh and Jharsuguda districts.

Likewise, a rise in the water level of the Subarnarekha river is possible in upper catchment areas of Jharkhand.

Rout mentioned that the floodwater from Jharkhand could reach Balasore by Wednesday, August 19. He also noted that the excess floodwater discharged by Jharkhand is expected to arrive in Balasore on Wednesday. The present water level at the Hirakud dam stands at 619.97 feet, slightly below the full reservoir level of 630 ft. The State government has mobilized relief and rescue operations, deploying 45 teams of the Odisha Rural Development and Planning Organization (ODRAF), eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 53 fire service units across the affected districts.