Heavy Floods Affect Over 600,000 People in 18 Districts of Odisha

The state of Odisha continued to grapple with serious flooding on 30 July, with the latest government report stating that 18 districts have been hit. The disaster has impacted roughly 593,083 residents, covering 95 blocks, 472 gram panchayats, 1,301 villages and 14 urban bodies. About 176,518 people have been moved to relief shelters.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said rainfall has largely ceased and a moderate‑level flood warning was issued for the Mahanadi River. Officials expect a flow of around nine lakh cubic feet per second at the Mundali Barrage and have deployed experienced officers and engineers to low‑lying areas of Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. Water levels in the Mahanadi’s tributaries are gradually receding, but authorities urged residents—especially children, the elderly and women—to shift to relief camps. Pujari also surveyed the flooded zones of Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kendujhar by helicopter.