Flash floods struck the embankments of the Hati River in Kalahandi district, Odisha, on Sunday, prompted by heavy rainfall associated with a low-pressure system affecting the region. This weather event also led local authorities in two other districts to declare school closures for the following day.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted that the low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal will bring substantial rain to various districts in Odisha until August 26.
In response to the rising water levels, authorities released 412 cusecs of water from the Mangalpur Barrage of the Indravati Project into the already swollen Hati River, resulting in flash flooding in the surrounding areas.
Low-lying regions in Talpada, Bankapala, and Jampadar villages within the Kalampur block were inundated. The block administration, led by BDO Vijay Kumar Marandi, successfully rescued 293 individuals from Paruaguda and Bodelbandh villages, providing them with essential supplies.
Heavy rainfall has disrupted road connections from Junagarh to Kalampur and Thuamul Rampur Road to Kashipur.
Due to the expected rainfall, officials have ordered the closure of all schools and anganwadi centers in Nabarangpur, as well as 89 schools in flood-prone areas of Bhadrak on Monday.
In the past 24 hours leading up to 8:30 a.m. this morning, many regions experienced significant rainfall, with two locations receiving over 200 mm. Specifically, Thuamula Rampur in Kalahandi recorded an extreme downpour of 345 mm, while Kashipur in Rayagada received 212 mm.
The IMD noted that 19 additional areas saw rainfall between 100 mm and 200 mm during this period.
On Sunday morning, the upper air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coastline intensified into a low-pressure area. This system is projected to move northwest across northern Odisha, close to Gangetic West Bengal in the next 24 hours.
An ‘orange’ warning has been issued for several districts, including Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh, signifying the need for preparedness. Additionally, a ‘yellow warning’ has been declared for various other districts, including Balasore and Kalahandi.
Thunderstorms, along with lightning and strong winds, are anticipated in numerous areas across Odisha, according to the IMD. Squally weather with wind speeds of 40-60 km/h is expected to continue over the Bay of Bengal and along the West Bengal coast.
The IMD has advised fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea along the Odisha coast until August 24 due to rough sea conditions.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, alongside Director of Public Health Rabindranath Mishra, visited the flood-affected Bhadrak district to assess the situation. As part of the emergency measures, 16 medical relief centers have been established in the most impacted blocks of Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Chandabali, and Tihidi.
Additionally, eight rapid response teams and ten mobile health units have been deployed in Bhadrak, where health workers are conducting ongoing house-to-house surveillance.
Approximately 300,000 residents across 244 villages in the district have been affected by the flooding. Supplies of anti-snake venom, bleaching powder, halazone tablets, and ORS have been provided to address emergency needs.
Reports indicate 16 snakebite cases and 107 instances of acute diarrheal disease (ADD) in the district thus far, with 12,786 individuals treated for minor health issues. Disease surveillance efforts have been heightened, including the collection of 21 rectal swabs and 657 water samples to monitor and prevent waterborne and other communicable diseases.
