Odisha Floods: 8 Lakh People Affected As Hirakud Releases Water, Livestock, Crops Damaged

Odisha’s flood situation showed signs of improvement on Sunday, but authorities continued monitoring vulnerable areas after excess water released from the Hirakud Dam caused the Mahanadi river system to swell. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said floods have affected around 8 lakh people across 20 districts, while the administration shifted focus towards relief, damage assessment and rehabilitation.

The flood crisis intensified after heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi increased inflows into the Hirakud reservoir. To manage rising water levels, the dam released excess water through 22 gates, prompting authorities to place 10 downstream districts on high alert.

The districts under alert included Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Nayagarh. Officials said special attention was being given to the Mahanadi delta districts due to their vulnerability to rising river levels.

The flooding followed a multi phase weather event, with overflowing rivers including the Baitarani, Brahmani, Budhabalanga, Salandi and Jalaka affecting several parts of northern Odisha before the Mahanadi discharge added pressure on coastal districts.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar along with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil. He said floodwaters in northern Odisha were receding and the situation was gradually improving.

"The flood situation may improve further in maybe two more days," Majhi said, while directing officials to begin restoration planning once water levels fall completely.

The chief minister said 2.69 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to around 700 relief camps. The government has adopted a Zero Casualty approach and deployed disaster response teams for rescue and relief operations.

The floods have affected not only homes but also livelihoods. Several districts reported damage to vegetable farms and agricultural fields, with standing crops submerged in floodwaters. Farmers in affected regions faced losses as waterlogging damaged seasonal produce and disrupted supply chains.

Road connectivity was also affected in many districts, with floodwaters submerging stretches of roads and isolating some villages. In several areas, residents faced difficulties accessing markets, healthcare facilities and essential supplies due to transport disruptions.

The flood impact has also extended to livestock. More than 4.8 lakh livestock have been affected, prompting the state government to issue a dedicated helpline for animal care and assistance to affected livestock owners.

Officials said more than 1,300 houses were damaged in northern Odisha, with Bhadrak among the worst affected districts, followed by Jajpur, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.

As the flood threat reduced, the government began preparing for recovery work. Majhi directed officials to complete damage assessment within 72 hours after floodwaters recede, covering losses to houses, crops, roads and public infrastructure. A comprehensive relief package will be prepared based on the assessment.

The Hirakud Dam water level stood at 625.47 feet against its full capacity of 630 feet, while inflow and outflow remained stable below 4 lakh cusecs, reducing pressure on downstream areas. The water level at the Mundali barrage near Cuttack also declined from earlier levels, bringing relief to several Mahanadi basin regions.

The Odisha government has deployed 17 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, seven National Disaster Response Force teams and 129 fire and emergency service teams for rescue operations. Around Rs 26 lakh has been sanctioned for immediate relief and rescue measures.

The flood response has also triggered a political controversy, with opposition parties questioning Chief Minister Majhi’s Delhi visit during the crisis. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticised the government’s handling of the situation, while Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari defended the visit, saying Majhi was pursuing the long pending Mahanadi water dispute resolution with Chhattisgarh.