Flood Fury Cuts Off Over 250 Villages Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is reeling under a severe flood crisis as swelling rivers have breached embankments and inundated more than 250 villages across several districts.

Over one lakh people have been affected, with nearly 10,000 evacuated to safer shelters.

In Jajpur, seven breaches along the Brahmani, Kani, and Nua Mahara rivers have left villages marooned.

Bhadrak district is facing surging waters from the Salandi River, which rose above its danger mark at 18.50 ft, flooding multiple blocks.

Puri district is grappling with overflowing Devi and Bhargavi rivers, submerging Balanga and Bauriakana.

Other districts including Kujang (Paradip), Daspalla (Gania block), Athgarh, and Balasore have reported villages cut off, homes damaged, and crops destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Mahanadi River discharge at Mundali touched 8.73 lakh cusecs/sec, raising alarms for downstream districts such as Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Puri.

Authorities have issued high alerts across affected regions, with rescue and relief operations underway.