The flood situation in Odisha has turned more serious, with Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur emerging as the worst-hit districts, while Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar have also suffered significant damage. According to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, the floods have affected 5,87,822 people across five districts, forcing the evacuation of 1,76,073 residents. The minister also confirmed three flood-related deaths.

After reviewing the flood situation, Pujari said extensive preparations have been made in Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur in anticipation of rising water levels in the Mahanadi. He noted that the absence of heavy rainfall in the Chhattisgarh catchment area has provided some relief. The Hirakud Dam is currently at 620 feet, with two gates open, while water discharge is expected to reach nearly 9 lakh cusecs at Naraj by night. Floodwaters have already entered low-lying areas of Badamba and Athagarh.

In Keonjhar, the earthen coffer dam of the under-construction Kanupur Major Irrigation Project collapsed on Thursday morning, prompting authorities to open six radial gates and two depletion sluice gates of the main dam. Warning sirens were sounded, and residents in downstream areas along the Baitarani River were advised to stay away from riverbanks as flood fears intensified.

The situation has also worsened in Jajpur, where breaches measuring 20 feet and 30 feet developed along the Brahmani River embankment. Floodwaters have affected 84 villages across 28 gram panchayats in three blocks, with more than 3,000 people evacuated. As a precaution, the district administration declared a holiday for all schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres.

In Cuttack district, rising Mahanadi waters have inundated the sanctum of the revered Maa Bhattarika Temple at Badamba with nearly five feet of water. Following traditional rituals, the temple’s movable idol was shifted to a temporary shelter on Ratnagiri Hill. Authorities have urged devotees to avoid unnecessary gatherings.

Flooding has also disrupted connectivity in Banki, where overflowing rivers have submerged roads and bridges, cutting off several panchayats. Villages including Kainmundi and Charigharia remain surrounded by floodwaters, while residents continue shifting livestock and belongings to safer locations as rescue and relief operations remain in full swing.

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.