Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Odisha Floods Grim as Major Rivers Cross Danger Levels
Six districts in Odisha are facing serious floods.
Several rivers have risen above levels considered dangerous.
The Subarnarekha river crossed its danger mark after heavy rain upstream in Jharkhand.
Floodwater entered parts of Balasore district, including Jaleswar, Basta and Baliapal.
Other rivers, including the Jalaka, Salandi and Baitarani, also rose too high.
More than 300 students were stranded at a residential school in Kendrapara after floodwater entered their hostels.
Rescue workers used five boats to move the students to safety.
More than 3.5 lakh people were evacuated from the affected districts.
Weather officials did not forecast heavy rain through August 21.
Flooding remained severe in six Odisha districts despite no heavy rain in the region during the previous 24 hours.
The Subarnarekha rose to 10.40 metres at Rajghat, above its 10.36-metre danger mark, flooding parts of Balasore district.
The Jalaka, Salandi and Baitarani rivers also crossed their danger levels, while the Budhabalanga exceeded its warning level.
More than 3.5 lakh people were evacuated from Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar.
Five ODRAF power boats were rescuing more than 300 stranded students, while about 100 rescue teams and relief supplies were deployed.
- Who
- Residents of six Odisha districts, including more than 300 stranded students, are affected; state officials, rescue teams and district administrations are conducting relief operations.
- What
- Floodwaters spread as several rivers crossed or exceeded their danger or warning levels, prompting evacuations and rescues.
- When
- The situation was reported on Wednesday, August 19; the India Meteorological Department forecast no heavy-rain warning through August 21.
- Where
- The affected districts are Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar in Odisha.
- Why
- Heavy rain in the Subarnarekha’s upper catchment areas in neighboring Jharkhand raised the river level, while other rivers also continued rising.
- Affected districts
- Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar
- Evacuations
- More than 3.5 lakh residents were evacuated to safety
- Subarnarekha level
- 10.40 metres at 9 am at Rajghat, above the 10.36-metre danger mark
- Other river levels
- Jalaka: 6.60 metres; Salandi: 17.10 metres; Baitarani: 18.65 metres
- Stranded students
- More than 300 students were stranded at a residential school in Kulasahi, Kendrapara
- Rescue operation
- Five ODRAF power boats were deployed at the school, with each boat able to carry 50 students
- Weather outlook
- The IMD issued no heavy-rain warning for the three days through August 21
