Odisha on High Alert as IMD Issues Red Warning for Heavy Rainfall

The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha on Sunday, August 16, 2026, following the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal. The weather office warned that some areas could receive over 20 cm of rain within 24 hours and advised fishermen along the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal, North Andhra Pradesh, and adjoining Bangladesh to avoid the sea from August 16 to 18.

State authorities have placed district collectors and urban authorities on high alert. Chief Secretary Anu Garg announced that all government employee leaves have been cancelled. To manage the crisis, the state has deployed approximately 90 rescue teams, including units from the ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire Services, alongside officials from the health and water resources departments. Three senior IAS officers were dispatched to the worst-hit districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur to coordinate relief operations.

Flooding remains grim in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar, caused by the overflow of the Baitarani, Brahmani, Salandi, Jalaka, and Budhabalanga rivers. While the Subarnarekha river receded to 9.21 meters, which is below its danger level of 10.36 meters, officials continue to monitor the situation.

Reports on the scale of the impact vary between sources. One report states that 5.15 lakh people across 947 villages have been affected and 2.37 lakh people have been evacuated to 293 relief camps. Another report states that 2.70 lakh people in 503 villages have been affected and around one lakh people have been evacuated.