Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Flood-Hit Odisha Braces for Rain as Bay Low Forms
A new weather system has formed over the Bay of Bengal near Odisha.
It may bring very heavy rain and thunderstorms to many parts of the state.
The weather department issued its highest warning for some districts and another warning for several others.
Many people are still dealing with floods from earlier rain.
Floodwater continues to affect 703 villages.
More than 13.44 lakh people across seven districts have been affected.
The government has sent rescue teams and is providing food and safe drinking water.
Schools and Anganwadi centres were closed in Jajpur and Bhadrak.
Fishermen were told to stay out of the sea until August 24.
A low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal on Sunday, according to the IMD.
The system is expected to move northwestward across North Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.
The IMD issued red and orange warnings for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across multiple Odisha districts.
Floodwater continues to affect 703 villages, while more than 13.44 lakh people have been affected across seven districts.
Odisha deployed 86 response teams and released Rs 167.55 crore for flood relief, rescue and restoration work.
- Who
- The Odisha government, India Meteorological Department, district administrations, rescue teams, fishermen and residents of flood-affected districts.
- What
- A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, prompting heavy-rain warnings while Odisha continues flood-relief operations.
- When
- The low-pressure area formed on Sunday; heavy rainfall was forecast through Monday morning, while another report cited possible rain and thunderstorms through the morning of August 29.
- Where
- The system is over the northwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to move across North Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal; rainfall warnings cover many Odisha districts.
- Why
- The system could produce heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and worsen flooding in areas still affected by the ongoing deluge.
- Weather system
- A low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and nearby areas on Sunday.
- Rainfall warning
- Red warnings covered Kataka, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi and Nabarangapur until Monday morning; orange warnings covered several other districts.
- Villages affected
- Floodwater continued to affect 703 villages in Baleshwar, Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Jajpur.
- People affected
- More than 13.44 lakh people in 1,703 villages across seven districts were affected, according to the state government.
- Response teams
- The state deployed 86 teams: 32 ODRAF, eight NDRF and 46 Fire and Emergency Services teams.
- Relief funding
- Rs 167.55 crore was released from the State Disaster Response Fund in three phases.
- Marine advisory
- Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea until August 24 because of rough to very rough conditions.
