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Southern Odisha has been grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall, triggered by a deep depression, which has wreaked havoc across the region. The torrential downpour has resulted in widespread flooding, leaving numerous areas inundated and disrupting essential services. The districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, and Ganjam have borne the brunt of the devastating weather conditions.
Official reports indicate that roads have been washed away, leading to significant disruptions in connectivity between Odisha and neighboring Andhra Pradesh. The power supply has also been severely affected, leaving many residents without electricity. The situation in Malkangiri, the most severely affected district, is particularly dire, with schools being forced to shut down due to the ongoing emergency. The slow drainage of rainwater into the Bay of Bengal, exacerbated by the deep depression, has further aggravated the situation, causing widespread flooding in low-lying areas.
The Odisha government has mobilized its resources to address the crisis. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has instructed officials to ensure adequate stock and supply of relief materials in the affected areas. He has also stressed the importance of coordination among various government departments to provide prompt assistance to those in distress. The state has deployed rescue teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Forcer (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Fire Services to restore normalcy in the affected regions.
To provide shelter and aid to the affected population, relief camps have been established, accommodating over 2,000 individuals whose homes have been inundated. The government has also mobilized the Border Security Force (BSF) and a helicopter for evacuation purposes, though these resources were not ultimately required. Despite the extensive damage caused by the rains, there have been no reported casualties. However, the extent of the damage to infrastructure and property is still being assessed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the deep depression responsible for the heavy rainfall has weakened into a depression and moved away from Odisha. However, the state is expected to experience heavy rains until Wednesday. The IMD has recorded the highest rainfall of 231.4 mm at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district within a 24-hour period ending on Tuesday morning. Several other regions have also received significant amounts of rainfall, exceeding 100 mm in some areas.
Source: Heavy rain wreaks havoc in southern Odisha, 2000 people evacuated