Odisha floods: 2.7 lakh affected, 95,206 evacuated across 6 districts
Synopsis
Even as some Odisha rivers begin to recede, low-pressure rainfall is keeping the crisis alive — 2.7 lakh people affected, nearly a lakh displaced to shelters, and 118 rescue teams working around the clock. With five districts still under watch and veterinary camps now added to the relief grid, this is a full-scale state emergency on Independence Day.
Key Takeaways
Odisha floods have affected 2,70,212 people across 6 districts , 52 blocks , 227 gram panchayats , and 503 villages as of 15 August .
95,206 people have been evacuated and housed in 226 shelters with food, water, sanitation, and medical support.
118 response teams are deployed, including 36 ODRAF , 7 NDRF , 35 Fire and Emergency Services , and 40 Police/Civil Defence/Local teams.
62 medical teams are operational with stocks of medicines, ORS, IV fluids, and anti-snake venom.
31 veterinary teams have treated or vaccinated 51 animals ; 357.2 MT of cattle feed supplied.
Districts of Mayurbhanj , Baleshwar , Bhadrak , Jajpur , and Kendujhar remain under close observation.
The flood situation in Odisha remains critical as of 15 August, with incessant low-pressure-induced rainfall continuing to batter several parts of the state even as water levels in some major rivers have begun to recede. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) under the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the flooding has impacted approximately 2,70,212 people across 6 districts, 52 blocks, 227 gram panchayats, and 503 villages.
Scale of Displacement
A total of 95,206 people have been evacuated and moved to 226 shelters, where authorities are providing cooked food, safe drinking water, sanitation, lighting, and medical support. The districts of Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendujhar remain under close watch, with officials coordinating through respective District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs).
Response Teams on the Ground
A total of 118 response teams have been deployed across affected areas for evacuation, rescue, relief, and emergency operations. These comprise 36 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, 7 NDRF teams, 35 Fire and Emergency Services teams, and 40 Police/Civil Defence/Local teams. Additional teams remain on standby and are being deployed as conditions demand.
Health and Veterinary Support
Health services have been designated a key priority. As many as 62 medical teams are operational in the affected zones, with adequate stocks of medicines, ORS, IV fluids, and anti-snake venom maintained. Simultaneously, 31 veterinary teams and Rapid Response Teams have been deployed, and 22 veterinary camps organised. So far, 51 animals have been treated or vaccinated, and 357.2 MT of cattle feed has been supplied to support livestock and affected communities.
Official Assessment
'The overall situation remains under close observation, and all concerned administrations and departments have been directed to remain prepared and responsive to any emerging requirement,' the SRC stated. Response teams and departments are working 24x7 to ensure relief, medical assistance, drinking water, and food reach affected communities without delay. The state's coordinated response mechanism, officials said, continues to focus on protecting lives and facilitating a safe return to normalcy.
Point of View
NDRF, medical teams, and now veterinary camps — reflects a maturing disaster playbook. But the persistence of low-pressure rainfall even as rivers recede is the variable that no deployment chart can fully absorb. Five districts simultaneously under watch on Independence Day is a reminder that Odisha's flood vulnerability is structural, not seasonal. The real accountability question is whether post-flood rehabilitation — housing, crop loss compensation, and livelihood restoration — will match the efficiency of the evacuation phase, which historically is where state responses lose momentum.
NationPress
16 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been affected by the Odisha floods?
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, approximately 2,70,212 people have been affected across 6 districts, 52 blocks, 227 gram panchayats, and 503 villages as of 15 August.
How many people have been evacuated in the Odisha floods?
A total of 95,206 people have been evacuated and accommodated in 226 shelters, where authorities are providing food, drinking water, sanitation, lighting, and medical support.
Which districts in Odisha are worst affected by the floods?
The districts of Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendujhar are under close watch and are among the most severely impacted by the ongoing flooding.
What rescue and relief teams have been deployed in Odisha?
A total of 118 response teams have been deployed, comprising 36 ODRAF teams, 7 NDRF teams, 35 Fire and Emergency Services teams, and 40 Police/Civil Defence/Local teams, with additional teams on standby.
What is the current status of Odisha's rivers amid the floods?
Water levels in some major rivers have begun to recede; however, low-pressure-induced continuous rainfall is causing fresh waterlogging in several parts of the state, keeping the overall situation grim.
