A deep depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal crossed the North Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday night and moved inland, delivering more than 100 mm of rain in several southern and western districts of Odisha within 24 hours. Recorded totals included 193.9 mm in Semiliguda (Koraput), 142 mm in Tangi (Khordha), 125.4 mm in G Udayagiri (Kandhamal), 121.4 mm in Paralakhemundi and 120 mm in Gosani. The deluge caused river levels to rise, inundation, uprooted trees, landslides and power outages.
The Odisha Disaster Response Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services deployed teams to clear blocked roads and remove fallen trees. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, after a review meeting, said the situation was “under control” but warned that heavy rain would persist in the southern districts for the next 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department issued a Red Warning for Nabarangpur and Orange warnings for Koraput, Malkangiri, Bargarh, Nuapada, Balangir and Kalahandi. A total of 173 villages across 127 gram panchayats, 37 blocks and five urban local bodies were affected, with 8,205 people impacted and 8,082 evacuated to relief centres equipped with food, medicines and medical staff.
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District administrations have been instructed to stay prepared, especially in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sonepur and Sambalpur, as the system moves toward Balangir and Bargarh before entering Chhattisgarh. Officials expect rainfall to continue in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Koraput, with conditions projected to return to normal by September 26. A landslide report from Gajapati has been logged, and senior officials continue to assess damage and coordinate restoration.
