With the flood situation worsening across parts of Odisha, particularly in northern districts and along the Mahanadi river basin, the State Urban Development Department has gone on high alert, cancelling the leave of all officials and directing them to remain on 24-hour emergency duty.
Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said officials have been instructed to monitor the situation from control rooms round the clock and ensure a swift response in flood-affected urban areas. Pump sets have been deployed to drain water from waterlogged localities, while the department is preparing a comprehensive drainage master plan for all urban centres to tackle recurring flooding. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the plan will be prepared soon.
The minister said drinking water, food and emergency lighting arrangements have been kept ready wherever required in flood-hit areas. He acknowledged that several urban locations received rainfall far beyond the capacity of existing drainage systems, resulting in severe waterlogging.
Meanwhile, the flood situation remains critical in parts of northern Odisha, with Balasore witnessing unprecedented inundation. In Cuttack, the Mahanadi river continues to swell, with water discharge at Mundali Barrage crossing 8.13 lakh cusecs and expected to touch 9 lakh cusecs by evening.
Floodwaters have affected six blocks of Cuttack district—Badamba, Narasinghpur, Athagarh, Tigiria, Banki and Dampada—submerging villages and vast stretches of agricultural land. Authorities have also warned that low-lying areas of Niali and Mahanga could be affected if water levels continue to rise.
Evacuation has begun, with around 1,500 people in Athagarh, 600 in Banki, and 600–800 residents in Cuttack city being shifted to safer locations. District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has urged evacuees to remain in relief shelters for the next 48 hours. Restrictions have also been imposed on public gatherings over barrages and embankments, while ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams remain deployed for rescue and emergency response.