Depression triggers rainfall in Odisha; flood, landslide threats grow

A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression, triggering relentless rainfall across Odisha and raising flood concerns in several districts in the past 24 hours.

Accordingly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in these districts over the next 24 hours. Ten other districts are under Orange Warning as the system continues to move inland.

Depression Makes Landfall, Set to Drench North Odisha

According to the IMD, the depression was centred over coastal West Bengal and adjoining parts of the northwest Bay and Bangladesh, about 100 km southeast of Kolkata. 
The system is expected to continue on its west-northwest trajectory, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to Gangetic West Bengal, North Odisha, and parts of Jharkhand.

Statewide Rainfall, Flash Flood Risk Rises

Odisha has witnessed persistent rains since Thursday night, with overcast skies and high humidity. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning till July 28. On Friday, rains disrupted daily life in parts of western, northern, and coastal Odisha.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has directed all district collectors to activate disaster response protocols. Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the sea, and urban bodies have been asked to clear drainage channels in vulnerable pockets.

Rivers in Spate, Hirakud Releases Floodwater

Owing to the rainfall, the Jalaka River in Balasore breached the danger level of 6.50 meters early Friday, rising to 6.80 meters at Mathani by 7 am, triggering a red flag for downstream areas.

As such, the Water Resources Department is monitoring the situation closely, particularly in upstream zones like Rasgovindpur, Shuliapada, and Chitrada, which received heavy rainfall.

In western Odisha, 20 sluice gates of the Hirakud dam were opened to discharge floodwaters amid rising inflows from upper catchments.

Infrastructure Hit in Malkangiri, Sundargarh

In Malkangiri, continuous rain over the past two days submerged the Kanyashram bridge on the Kalimela Padia road under three feet of water, disrupting traffic and isolating nearby villages.

Similarly, Sundargarh town's Ranibagicha and Mahadevpada areas reported inundation. Residents faced waterlogging inside homes, while municipal authorities began pumping operations to restore normalcy.

Flood Fears in Northern Odisha

Multiple panchayats in Balasore’s Basta block, including Mathani, Baharda, and Dudhansha, are under threat of flooding as embankments along the Jalaka remain vulnerable. If water levels continue to rise, additional panchayats in Sadar block, such as Srirampur and Rasulpur, may also be affected.

Apart from the Red Alert for Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, the IMD has placed ten districts under Orange Warning, including Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur. These regions may experience waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and potential landslides in hilly terrain.