# Flooding and reservoir management in Odisha

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/flooding-and-reservoir-management-in-odisha
> Updated: 2026-09-27T06:30:02.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

Severe rainfall and flooding continue to impact 13 districts in Odisha, driven by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. As water levels in the Hirakud Dam reached approximately 628 feet, authorities increased the number of open sluice gates from 22 to 28 to manage surging inflows. This discharge is projected to cause the Mahanadi River to peak at 8 lakh cusecs at the Mundali barrage.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expanded his assessment of the crisis, conducting aerial surveys of southern districts including Ganjam, Koraput, and Nabarangpur. During his visit, he inspected relief shelters in Koraput to ensure the provision of food, water, and medical aid for the more than 70,000 people currently housed in nearly 400 relief camps.

In addition to rising river levels, heavy rainfall has triggered landslides at Kalinga Ghati, a critical mountain pass connecting Ganjam and Kandhamal, resulting in an indefinite closure of the route. Local administrations in coastal districts, including Kataka, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur, remain on high alert as officials monitor vulnerable embankments and river distributaries.

As the situation has evolved, the number of open sluice gates at the Hirakud Dam has increased further to 30 to manage surging inflows. This has intensified the pressure on the Mahanadi River system, prompting high alerts in Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara. The government has now evacuated approximately 140,000 people from low-lying villages and urban wards to relief shelters.

## Claims

- Hirakud Dam authorities opened 28 sluice gates to manage high reservoir inflows. (disputed)
- The number of open sluice gates at Hirakud Dam increased to 30. (disputed)
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted aerial surveys of flood-hit districts including Ganjam, Koraput, and Nabarangpur. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Odisha government evacuated approximately 140,000 people to safer locations over four days. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A minor flood in the Mahanadi River is defined by a flow of approximately 800,000 cusecs at the Mundali gauge station. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary ordered the establishment of relief camps in flood-prone areas of East Champaran. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stated that water levels in several rivers have begun to recede. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Kalinga Ghati mountain pass has been closed indefinitely due to landslides and boulders on the road. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Odisha and Bihar face severe flooding as Hirakud Dam opens sluice gates

Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Odisha and Bihar, leading to the evacuation of 140,000 people in Odisha and the opening of multiple sluice gates at the Hirakud Dam.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-chief-minister-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-districts

### 2026-09-25: Odisha Chief Minister to survey flood-hit districts and address Hirakud reservoir siltation

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will conduct aerial surveys of flood-hit districts while addressing reports that siltation has reduced the Hirakud reservoir's storage capacity by 1.82 million acre-feet

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-chief-minister-to-survey-flood-hit-districts-and-address-hirakud-reservoir-siltation

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Cite as: Flooding and reservoir management in Odisha. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/flooding-and-reservoir-management-in-odisha