Flooded Areas in Odisha May See Worsening Conditions Amid Growing Storm

Hundreds of villages across Odisha remain submerged after days of relentless flooding. The state government reports that more than 1.34 million people in 1,703 villages, spanning 505 gram panchayats, 76 blocks and 12 urban local bodies, are still battling water‑logged conditions.

The new low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal threatens to aggravate the situation. IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall for districts already reeling under flood damage, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, Debagarh, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Puri and Nayagarh.

With the sea expected to stay turbulent until August 24, authorities have urged coastal residents and fishermen to avoid venturing into the water. The combined effect of ongoing floods and the approaching storm could push many more areas into crisis mode.

Local disaster response teams are on standby, but the scale of the emergency underscores the need for continued vigilance as the weather system intensifies.