Bhubaneswar: Flood conditions remained critical across several districts of Odisha on Friday, driven by swollen rivers in the Mahanadi system and its distributaries, along with ongoing impacts from heavy monsoon rainfall linked to a recent deep depression.
While discharge at key points showed some signs of stabilisation, high tides impeding drainage into the Bay of Bengal, embankment breaches, and elevated water levels kept authorities on high alert.
Official figures indicated that floods and related heavy rain had affected more than seven lakh people across 20 of the state’s 30 districts, inundating over 1,500 villages in earlier assessments, with Bhadrak emerging as the worst-hit. With two more deaths reported from Rayagada and Dhenkanal districts on Thursday, the official death toll has risen to five.
Mahanadi System and Downstream Concerns
In a slight relief for coastal areas, floodwater inflow at Mundali Barrage in Kataka district declined from about 888,000 cusecs late Thursday night to roughly 865,000–869,000 cusecs on Friday morning. Flows stood at approximately 445,000 cusecs at Naraj Barrage and 460,000 cusecs at Jobra Barrage. The Hirakud Reservoir was at 621 feet, with two sluice gates open; further openings depend on upper catchment rainfall and inflows.
Authorities noted that while fears of an immediate surge beyond one million cusecs at Mundali had eased, river levels stayed high in lower reaches. High sea tides continued to slow drainage, prolonging elevated levels in deltaic zones of Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Kendrapada, Khordha and Kataka.
Kataka District
Floodwater from the Mahanadi entered Ansupa Lake, submerging the lakeside park to waist depth, inundating the boating ticket counter and halting tourism. Athagarh, Tigiria and Banki blocks remained heavily affected. In Tigiria, panchayats such as Badanauput, Somapada, Hattamal and Gadadharpur saw roads and villages submerged. In Banki, more than 15 villages under Ostia, Subarnapur and Bandal panchayats on the northern bank were impacted, with water entering fields and settlements.
Rising levels in the Chitrotpala River, a distributary of Mahanadi, in Salepur block submerged grounds near the bridge, including sports training areas, and raised fears of bank erosion and further flooding if additional Hirakud releases occur.
Over 1,500 people were evacuated from low-lying areas in Athagarh, with another 600–700 shifted from Salepur, Mahanga, Banki and Narsinghpur. All government staff leaves were cancelled for 48 hours. Public access to barrages and embankments was restricted, with a ban on selfies and flood tourism to prevent accidents. Devotees were barred from Dhabaleswar Temple for 48 hours.Puri District
The Bhargavi River at Balanga was flowing at 11.25–11.40 metres, well above the danger mark of 10.42 metres. The Devi River at Bauriakana stood at 5.08 feet against a danger level of 4.95 feet. Both rivers remained under close watch amid the broader flood situation.
Jajpur District
Multiple embankment breaches have compounded the crisis in the district. Seven breaches were reported across three rivers: four on the Brahmani, two on the Kani (a Baitarani distributary), and one on the Nua Mahara (a Kharasrota distributary). In Dasarathpur block, the Kani River’s vulnerability was again exposed, with more than 20 breaches recorded over 12 years (17 on the Kani and three on the Baitarani). Fresh breaches occurred at Mahapatrasahi on the Baitarani and at Dobhabil and Patana in Tarpada panchayat on the Kani; an earlier breach at Kantapada continued to worsen conditions.
Water up to three feet deep inundated hundreds of villages across panchayats including Tarpada, Kasapa, Malikapur, Shushua, Mangalpur, Kanikapada, Chhachina, Katikata, Jayantara, Nizampur, Kayan, Kamardihi, Khananagar, Thalakudi, Palatpur, Jafarpur, Biripata, Dattapur and Duduraanta.
Flooding affected 56 revenue villages in 19 of 35 panchayats, impacting around 30,000 people who were shifted to 54 relief shelters providing cooked food. District-wide, about 250 villages and more than one lakh people were affected, with over 10,000 evacuated. Residents in some areas alleged delayed official visits even after three days.
Additional District Magistrate Yudhishthira Nayak stated that all possible assistance was being extended.
Bhadrak District
The Salandi River at Rajghat rose again to 18.50 feet, above the 17-foot danger mark, affecting Bhadrak, Chandbali, Tihidi and Dhamnagar blocks. The Kansabansa and Gamei rivers also rose, flooding seven panchayats in Basudevpur. The Baitarani had been in extreme flood conditions earlier but showed some recession in places. Bhadrak remained the worst-affected district overall, with estimates of over four lakh people impacted and large numbers in relief camps.
Kendrapada District
In Rajkanika block, the Baitarani River’s rise trapped hundreds of families. In Kamakanpur village under Baraha Demanda panchayat, the main road was under nearly four feet of water, marooning around 100 families. Contaminated tubewells forced residents to walk about a kilometre through floodwater for safe drinking water. Villagers reported frustration over the lack of timely relief, food packets or clean water after three days, along with risks of snakebites in stagnant water.
Angul District
Rising Mahanadi levels caused moderate flooding that completely isolated four villages in Tikarpada Panchayat (Angul block), including Majhipada, Bairasahi and Godi, for four consecutive days. Major PWD and forest roads were submerged, agricultural fields inundated under several feet of water, power supply disrupted, and movement halted. Officials, including the Sub-Collector and Tehsildar, used boats to distribute dry rations and essential supplies.
Healthcare workers prioritised evacuating pregnant women and critical patients to the nearest primary health centre.
A joint assessment of crop damage by Revenue, Agriculture and Horticulture departments is planned once waters recede, with compensation to follow government guidelines.
Statewide, cumulative July rainfall stood nearly 97 per cent above normal, contributing to the Mahanadi and other river systems’ swelling. Relief operations continued with hundreds of camps, free kitchens, and deployment of response teams.
