Odisha on High Alert as Government Cancels Staff Leave Amid Flood Threat

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has placed the state on high alert as heavy rainfall and rising river levels threaten widespread flooding.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg has cancelled all government staff leave, directing officials to remain at headquarters and return immediately if on leave.

Senior officers have been deployed to Bhadrak, Baleshwar, and Jajpur to oversee relief operations, while engineers from the Water Resources Department are closely monitoring embankments and river flows.

According to official reports, nearly 5.15 lakh people across 49 blocks, 331 panchayats, 947 villages, and 5 urban areas have already been affected.

Floodwaters from rivers including Baitarani, Brahmani, Salandi, Jalaka, and Budhabalanga have inundated districts such as Bhadrak, Baleshwar, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, and Kendrapada.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall due to a fresh low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

Relief centres, evacuation plans, and essential supplies are being readied, with district administrations instructed to ensure uninterrupted rescue and relief measures.