Odisha floods worsen as heavy rain inundates villages, roads in north
Heavy rainfall in northern Odisha has led to worsening flooding conditions, impacting multiple districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and others. Rivers such as Budhabalanga and Baitarani have overflowed, submerging villages, farmland, and infrastructure, while roads have been disrupted. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued warnings about flash-flood risks in 11 districts, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued heavy rains through mid-August. In Mayurbhanj, significant flooding has affected 16 gram panchayats, with some residents taking shelter on rooftops and embankments. Flooding has also impacted Rourkela city, causing severe waterlogging. Repeated flooding over the past month has displaced many families, with some still unable to return home.
Odisha's northern regions face worsening flood conditions as relentless rains continue to submerge villages, disrupt transportation and force residents to seek refuge on rooftops and embankments. On Friday, the Central Water Commission (CWC) issued warnings of flash-flood risks in 11 districts, including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh, as rivers swelled and roads turned into torrents of water. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall would persist in parts of northern Odisha until August 17 and in western districts until August 15, compounding the already dire situation. The impact of the recent downpours has been particularly severe in Mayurbhanj, where the Budhabalanga river overflowed, submerging multiple areas of the Betanati block. Sixteen gram panchayats were affected, with farmland, roads and villages submerged beneath rising waters. Near the Nakhara bridge, floodwaters reached a depth of three feet, rendering the structure unsafe and halting traffic along the Baishinga-Manatri-Udala road. Vehicles became stranded on either side of the flooded stretch, further isolating communities. In Jajpur district, the Baitarani river’s fourth flood of the season has left villages in the Dasarathpur block underwater. This follows a series of breaches in the region’s embankments, with the first occurring on July 6 after the Kani river breached at Kantapada. Subsequent floods on July 28 and August 8 saw further damage, with some families still unable to return home. Many remain on rooftops or under temporary shelters near riverbanks, enduring the ongoing threat of more flooding. Keonjhar district has also suffered heavily, with road communications disrupted due to overflowing canals and rivers. The Telkoi-Jagamohanpur road was severed after floodwaters surged over the Hanumantia canal, reaching a height of three feet. This has cut off access to National Highway 49, leaving local residents isolated. Meanwhile, in Balasore district, five blocks were impacted by intense rainfall, while parts of Baripada town saw flooding as the Budhabalanga river rose, entering wards 7 and 8. Rourkela city experienced widespread waterlogging, with neighborhoods such as Civil Township, Basanti Colony, Chhend Colony, Railway Colony and Power House among the hardest-hit. The city recorded 105.4 mm of rain between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, contributing to the growing crisis. The IMD Bhubaneswar warned of continued flash-flood risks in multiple districts, citing a low-pressure system over coastal West Bengal and adjacent Bangladesh that is intensifying into a depression. It is expected to move northwestward, bringing heavy rain to parts of North Odisha until August 17 and western districts until August 15. The IMD forecasted heavy to very heavy rain in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sambalpur on Friday, with similar conditions anticipated in Balasore, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada and Balangir. Additional heavy rainfall is expected in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada and Balangir on Saturday, raising concerns about further disruption to infrastructure and livelihoods. Meanwhile, in unrelated developments, the Bhutanese king expressed solidarity with flood victims in Assam, highlighting regional efforts to address extreme weather impacts. In Japan, officials described the current rainfall as “unprecedented,” with four deaths reported and thousands stranded at airports due to the intensity of the storm.
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