Floods hit 7.85 lakh people in 6 Odisha districts

The flood situation in northern Odisha on Monday (August 17, 2026) worsened, with 7.85 lakh persons affected in six districts due to heavy rain received in three major river systems.

Districts such as Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara and Keonjhar were hit by floodwaters due to high Average Areal Precipitation (AAP). AAP was 77.6 mm in the Burhabalang river basin, 47.9 mm in the Baitarani river basin and 36 mm in the Subarnarekha River basin.

Odisha has received 28% excess rain between June 1 and August 17, 2026. As compared to an average rain of 760 mm during this period, the State recorded 972.9 mm of rain. As a precautionary measure, schools were shut in Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. Utkal University also postponed undergraduate semester examinations scheduled for Monday due to disruption in transportation.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, visited Jajpur district to assess the situation. Mr. Majhi directed the officials to accelerate the rescue and rehabilitation efforts.