Heavy Rain Forces Evacuation of Over 8,000 in Odisha as Deep Depression Hits Coast

BHUBANESWAR — More than 8,000 people were evacuated from flood‑prone areas of Odisha on Monday as a deep depression moved inland, officials said. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for the state on Friday, warning of very heavy rain and possible flash floods. State disaster officials coordinated the evacuations and deployed relief teams to the districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Jagatsinghpur, where water levels rose rapidly after the system made landfall.

Evacuation and Relief Operations

According to the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), evacuation shelters were set up in schools, community halls and government buildings. By 14:00 IST, 8,214 individuals had been moved to 27 shelters across the three districts. The authority reported that 1,342 families were provided with dry rations and bottled water, while medical teams attended to 56 patients with water‑related ailments.

Ministerial Visits

Odisha Chief Minister (name withheld pending official release) arrived in Kendrapara at 16:30 IST, accompanied by the State Minister for Disaster Management and the District Collector. The officials inspected the flood‑affected villages, met with local panchayat leaders and oversaw the distribution of relief kits containing blankets, dry food packets and mosquito nets. In Bhadrak, the Disaster Management Minister held a briefing with senior police officers and the Indian Army’s engineering corps, which had been mobilised to clear blocked drainage channels.

Weather System Details

The deep depression, identified by the IMD as “Depression AR‑06,” originated over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday and intensified as it moved westward. The agency recorded peak rainfall of 152 mm in the coastal town of Paradeep between 06:00 and 12:00 IST on Monday. The same system also brought heavy showers to parts of Andhra Pradesh, though evacuation numbers there were not disclosed.

Infrastructure Impact

Preliminary assessments by the Odisha Public Works Department (PWD) indicated that 12 kilometres of state highways and 27 rural roads were submerged or damaged. Power outages were reported in 42 villages, affecting an estimated 5,600 households. The PWD announced that repair crews would work round the clock to restore connectivity, prioritising routes that serve relief shelters.

Future Outlook

IMD officials warned that the depression could spawn additional thunderstorms and localized flooding over the next 48 hours. The OSDMA urged residents in low‑lying areas to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders and avoid crossing water‑logged roads. The state government has activated additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to assist with rescue operations if conditions deteriorate.