Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Heavy Rain Triggers Odisha Flash Floods, School Closures
Heavy rain fell across Odisha because of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal.
The Hati River was already very full when officials released water from a nearby barrage.
This caused floodwater to enter several villages in Kalahandi district.
Officials rescued 293 people and gave them food supplies.
Roads in some areas were also blocked by the water and rain.
Schools and anganwadi centres were closed in parts of Nabarangpur and Bhadrak.
Bhadrak opened medical centres and sent health teams to help people affected by flooding.
Weather officials warned that more rain, strong winds and thunderstorms could continue.
Flash floods entered low-lying villages along the Hati River in Kalahandi after 412 cusecs of water was released from the Mangalpur Barrage.
Authorities rescued 293 people from Paruaguda and Bodelbandh villages and provided free ration.
Flooding and heavy rain disrupted roads linking Junagarh with Kalampur and Thuamul Rampur with Kashipur.
Schools and anganwadi centres in Nabarangpur, along with 89 Bhadrak schools, were ordered closed on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain through August 26 and issued orange and yellow warnings for several districts.
- Who
- Residents of affected Odisha villages, state and district authorities, the India Meteorological Department, and health teams.
- What
- Heavy rain caused flash floods along the Hati River, disrupted roads, prompted evacuations and led to school closures.
- When
- Flash flooding was reported on Sunday, August 23; school closures were announced for Monday, while heavy rain was forecast through August 26.
- Where
- Odisha, particularly Kalahandi and Bhadrak districts, with warnings covering multiple other districts.
- Why
- A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal brought heavy rainfall, while 412 cusecs released from the Mangalpur Barrage entered the already swollen Hati River.
- Water release
- Authorities released 412 cusecs from the Mangalpur Barrage of the Indravati Project into the Hati River.
- Highest rainfall
- Thuamul Rampur recorded 345 mm and Kashipur recorded 212 mm in the preceding 24 hours.
- People rescued
- 293 people were rescued from Paruaguda and Bodelbandh villages.
- Bhadrak impact
- Nearly 3 lakh people in 244 villages across five blocks were affected by flooding.
- Medical response
- Bhadrak opened 16 medical relief centres and deployed eight rapid response teams and 10 mobile health units.
- Health reports
- Officials reported 16 snake-bite cases and 107 acute diarrhoeal disease cases in Bhadrak.
- Weather warnings
- The IMD issued an orange warning for six districts and a yellow warning for 17 districts for Monday.