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Heavy to very heavy rainfall continued to lash several parts of Odisha as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal triggered flooding, landslides, waterlogging and disruption of road connectivity across southern districts. The state government has evacuated more than 8,000 people from vulnerable areas as authorities stepped up rescue and relief preparations.
According to the Odisha government, 8,082 people had been shifted to safer locations by Thursday noon, with the evacuation operation continuing in low-lying and landslide-prone areas. Six districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada — have been particularly affected.
Deep depression triggers heavy rainfall in Odisha 
The weather system responsible for the rainfall crossed the north Andhra Pradesh coast near Kalingapatnam between Wednesday night and early Thursday. The system had sustained winds of around 55-65 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 75 kmph.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that rainfall intensity could remain high across parts of Odisha, particularly in the southern districts. The weather system has raised concerns over flash flooding, landslides and further disruption of transportation and communication networks.
The IMD recorded an average of around 70 mm of rainfall across Odisha in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am Thursday. Semiliguda in Koraput recorded 193.9 mm, while several other locations received more than 100 mm of rain.
8,000-plus people moved to safer areas
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government was following Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s directive of ensuring zero casualties.
District collectors have been instructed to identify vulnerable locations and immediately move residents to safer areas wherever necessary. Relief arrangements have also been strengthened, with shelter facilities, food, drinking water and medicines being kept ready.
The government had earlier activated district and block-level control rooms and kept disaster response teams on standby. The Odisha government said 33 ODRAF teams were deployed in sensitive areas, while additional teams were kept in reserve.
Ministers sent to affected districts
With the situation worsening in parts of southern Odisha, the state government deployed senior ministers to affected districts for on-ground monitoring.
Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik was sent to Koraput, while Fisheries Minister Gokulananda Mallik was deputed to Gajapati. Subsequently, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena was asked to visit Ganjam and School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond was assigned to Nabarangpur.
Senior government officials were also deployed to monitor relief operations and assess damage in the affected areas.
Roads and bridges submerged in Malkangiri
Malkangiri has reported some of the most visible disruptions. Several low-level bridges on National Highway 326 were submerged after rainwater rose rapidly.
Water was reported to be flowing several feet above bridges at Poteru, Kangurukonda, Kanyashram and MV-90, disrupting traffic between Malkangiri and Motu. Communication to parts of Kalimela, Motu and Padia was also affected.
The Balimela-Chitrakonda ghat road was closed because of strong water flow and the risk of landslides. Reservoir levels in the Balimela, Satiguda and Jalaput areas also rose following the heavy rainfall.
Koraput faces landslide and road-clearance challenges
Koraput also received intense rainfall, with trees uprooted at several locations including Borigumma, Narayanpatna and Pottangi.
Fire personnel and ODRAF teams were deployed to clear roads and maintain connectivity. District authorities said the situation remained under control, but officials were kept on high alert because of the continuing rainfall and risk of further disruption.
Meanwhile, the Kolab, Indravati and Saberi rivers and their tributaries were reported to be swollen. A schoolteacher reportedly went missing after a boat capsized in the Kolab reservoir, prompting a search operation by ODRAF and fire services personnel.
IMD alerts and precautionary measures
The IMD issued a red alert for Nabarangpur, warning of more than 20 cm of rainfall in the subsequent 24-hour period. Orange alerts were issued for several districts including Bargarh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput and Malkangiri, while other districts remained under yellow alert.
Authorities have also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea because of rough conditions and strong winds along the coast.
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Odisha Government maintains high alert
The Odisha government has said that the situation is being monitored continuously and that priority remains on protecting lives and ensuring timely evacuation.
With heavy rain expected to continue in parts of the state, authorities are keeping a close watch on river levels, vulnerable roads, bridges and landslide-prone areas. The administration has urged residents in vulnerable locations to follow official advisories and cooperate with evacuation efforts.
For now, the focus remains on rescue, relief and preventing casualties as southern Odisha continues to deal with the impact of the deep depression.
