Odisha floods: 3 dead, 2 lakh affected across 748 villages in 5 districts
Synopsis
Odisha's flood crisis deepened on 29 July with three confirmed deaths — including a Fire Services personnel electrocuted during rescue — and over two lakh people displaced across 748 villages. With Chhattisgarh's upper catchment receiving fresh rainfall and five more districts on high alert, the worst may not be over.
Key Takeaways
Three people have died in Odisha floods as of 29 July , all in Kendujhar district , including Fire Services personnel Chandan Pattanik .
Over two lakh people are affected across 748 villages , 243 Gram Panchayats , and 44 blocks in five districts.
Around 30,000 persons have been evacuated to relief centres; cooked food and baby food provided.
17 NDRF and ODRAF teams and about 60 Fire Services teams are deployed across vulnerable locations.
Two gates of Hirakud Dam remain open; reservoir level is within safe operating range.
Districts including Bargarh , Balangir , Nabarangpur , Malkangiri , and Rayagada placed on high alert for heavy rainfall.
Severe floods triggered by relentless rainfall and swollen rivers have claimed at least three lives and displaced over two lakh people across multiple districts of Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed on Wednesday, 29 July. The disaster has impacted 44 blocks, 243 Gram Panchayats, and 748 villages across five of the state's worst-hit districts.
Districts Worst Affected
According to Minister Pujari, the five districts bearing the brunt of the floods are Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Kendujhar. Beyond these, rainfall has also disrupted life in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Malkangiri. As of Wednesday afternoon, 226 villages continued to experience waterlogging.
Deaths and Casualties
All three fatalities were reported from Kendujhar district. A minor child drowned in floodwaters, and an elderly man died when the wall of his house collapsed. The third victim was Fire Services personnel Chandan Pattanik, who died after coming into contact with a live electric wire during a dewatering operation — underscoring the hazards faced by frontline responders in active flood zones.
Evacuation and Relief Operations
Around 30,000 persons have been evacuated from low-lying areas to relief centres across the six flood-affected districts. Cooked food has been provided to evacuees, with special arrangements made for children, elderly persons, and women. The minister confirmed that sufficient baby food was available at relief centres. The government has also initiated an assessment of damaged houses, with assistance to affected families being processed as per prescribed norms.
To bolster disaster response capacity, 17 NDRF and ODRAF teams along with approximately 60 Fire Services teams have been strategically deployed across vulnerable locations. All district administrations have been directed to keep rescue teams, emergency equipment, and relief materials on standby.
River and Dam Situation
Water levels have begun receding in several areas, particularly in Balasore district, enabling some residents to return home from relief centres. However, rainfall has commenced in the upper catchment areas of Chhattisgarh, which could sustain river flows. At present, two gates of the Hirakud Dam remain open, though the reservoir level is reported to be well within the safe operating range.
High Alert and Public Advisory
Based on weather forecasts as of Wednesday afternoon, districts including Bargarh, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, and Rayagada have been placed on high alert owing to the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Minister Pujari appealed to citizens to avoid venturing into flooded areas or attempting to cross overflowing water bodies, and urged cooperation with district administrations. Residents requiring emergency assistance have been directed to dial 112.
Point of View
A systemic gap that recurs every monsoon season. Odisha has invested considerably in its disaster management infrastructure, and the rapid NDRF deployment reflects that. But with Chhattisgarh's upper catchment now receiving rainfall, the downstream pressure on Odisha's rivers is not over. The Hirakud Dam situation warrants close monitoring; its gate operations in past flood years have triggered downstream inundation that worsened humanitarian outcomes. The state's response has been swift, but the next 48 hours will test whether that preparedness holds.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been affected by the Odisha floods in July 2025?
Over two lakh people have been affected by the Odisha floods as of 29 July, spanning 748 villages, 243 Gram Panchayats, and 44 blocks across five districts. The worst-hit districts are Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Kendujhar.
Who died in the Odisha floods and how?
Three people died in Kendujhar district: a minor child who drowned in floodwaters, an elderly man who died when a wall of his house collapsed, and Fire Services personnel Chandan Pattanik, who was electrocuted by a live wire during a dewatering operation.
How many people have been evacuated in the Odisha floods?
Around 30,000 persons have been evacuated from low-lying areas to relief centres across the six flood-affected districts. Cooked food and baby food are being provided, with special arrangements made for elderly persons and women.
What is the current status of the Hirakud Dam amid the Odisha floods?
Two gates of the Hirakud Dam currently remain open, but the reservoir level is reported to be well within the safe operating range. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as rainfall has begun in the upper catchment areas of Chhattisgarh.
Which Odisha districts are on high alert for further flooding?
As of Wednesday afternoon on 29 July, the districts of Bargarh, Balangir, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, and Rayagada have been placed on high alert due to the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall. All district administrations have been directed to keep rescue teams and relief materials on standby.
