Full Breakdown
Heavy Rain from a Deep Depression Overwhelms Odisha, Prompting Mass Evacuations and Flood Alerts
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Core Event
From September 23-26 2026, a deep depression that made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast moved into Odisha, delivering heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state’s southern and coastal districts. The system caused rivers to swell, landslides, water-logging, and damage to houses, leading authorities to close schools, suspend train services, and shift thousands of residents to relief centres.
Background & Context
A deep depression is a weather system more intense than a low-pressure area but weaker than a cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracked the system as it progressed west-northwest at 3–7 km ph, first centred 60 km southeast of Kalingapatnam and later over interior Odisha near Nuapada. Forecasts warned of continued heavy rain for two days, with squally winds up to 70 km ph along the coast.
Timeline
- September 22, 2026 – Showers begin across Odisha.
- September 23, 2026 – Heavy rain lashes southern and coastal districts; 3,500 people are moved to safety.
- September 24, 2026 – IMD issues red alerts for Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur; evacuations intensify.
- September 25, 2026 – Record rainfall (395 mm in Tentulikhunti, Nabarangpur); schools close and relief operations expand.
- September 26, 2026 – System weakens and moves out of Odisha.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall: 24 locations recorded >100 mm on September 25; the wettest was Tentulikhunti (395 mm).
- Affected districts: Koraput, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balasore, Jajpur and others.
- Villages impacted: 857.
- River levels: Jalaka, Budhabalanga, Baitarani and Kani crossed danger marks.
- Infrastructure: Landslides blocked NH-16, NH-326 and railway tracks; bridges in Malkangiri and Balimela were submerged.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed a “zero casualty” approach, urging departments to prioritize lives and livelihoods. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reported that Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams (33 in total) were deployed across vulnerable districts and that relief centres were stocked with cooked food and medical supplies. The IMD warned of continued heavy rain for the next two days and advised fishermen to avoid the sea until Friday morning. Water Resources Department engineers emphasized night patrolling and field-level vigilance of critical water infrastructure.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Evacuation figures vary: The Hindu cited roughly 10,000 people shifted to 200 relief centres; Business Line reported 14,500 evacuees in 2,061 centres; IndiaToday and Hindustan Times gave a precise count of 8,082 people evacuated by Thursday noon; New Indian Express mentioned more than 2,000 evacuees; and the September 23 report noted 3,500 people moved to safety. No source provided a consolidated official total, leaving the exact scale of displacement unclear. Casualty reports are uniformly “none reported,” but verification from health authorities is absent.
Why It Matters
The event highlights Odisha’s vulnerability to rapid-onset extreme weather during the monsoon withdrawal period. River over-flows and landslides strain disaster-response capacities, disrupt transport corridors, and threaten agricultural and residential areas. The evacuations illustrate the importance of coordinated inter-agency action and early warning systems in mitigating loss of life.
What’s Next
The IMD forecasted lighter rain after September 25, with the system expected to weaken over land. Authorities plan to maintain relief operations, keep emergency operation centres functional, and continue monitoring river levels through the weekend.