{
  "id": 284872,
  "title": "North Odisha floods: 1.25 lakh people affected; schools closed in 10 districts; situation grim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/north-odisha-floods-1-25-lakh-people-affected-schools-closed-in-10",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T22:39:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/north-odisha-floods-125-lakh-people-affected-schools-closed-in-10-districts-situation-grim/article71280428.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, north Odisha faced a grim flood situation, with more than 1.25 lakh people affected across five districts, according to officials. Intense rainfall, fueled by a deep depression, caused major rivers to swell and inundate villages. Schools and anganwadi centers in 10 districts were ordered to remain closed due to the situation. The Budhabalanga and Jalaka rivers flooded several villages in Balasore district, while the Baitarani, Budha, and Salandi rivers overwhelmed areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. The Water Resources Department reported that all major rivers in the region were flowing above danger levels. District administrations intensified evacuation efforts, relocating around 50,000 people from low-lying areas to relief centers, where food was being provided. Rescue and relief operations were conducted by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services. Three senior IAS officers were also deployed to the worst-affected districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur to supervise flood management and coordinate relief measures. The India Meteorological Department forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha in the next 24 hours.",
  "summary": "The Hindu reports that the flood situation in north Odisha remains grim on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with more than 1.25 lakh people affected across five districts. The incessant rain, triggered by a deep depression, has caused rivers to overflow, submerging villages in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts. Schools and anganwadi centres in 10 districts have been ordered to remain closed due to the flood situation. The Budhabalanga and Jalaka rivers have inundated several villages in Balasore, while the Baitarani, Budha, and Salandi rivers have flooded areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. The district administrations have intensified evacuation efforts, shifting around 50,000 people to relief centers, and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. The State government has also deputed three senior IAS officers to the worst-affected districts to oversee flood management and coordinate relief measures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha over the next 24 hours.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}