Odisha evacuates 2.37 lakh as heavy rain, floods continue

The Odisha government evacuated over 2.37 lakh people to safety as heavy rain and flooding continued for a second day, with the IMD sounding a red alert for several districts. The Times of India reports that Chief Secretary Anu Garg cancelled leave for all government employees and deployed three senior IAS officers to worst-hit Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur. Around 90 rescue teams, including ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams, have been deployed in vulnerable areas.

Odisha TV reports that Keonjhar district closed all schools and anganwadi centres on Monday as a precaution. The district administration also postponed a public grievance hearing. Times Now adds that around 400 students, including 150 girls, are stranded at a government residential school in Kendrapara after the Brahmani River exceeded safe levels, the girls are being shifted to another school in Aul using motorboats.

According to the Chief Secretary, fresh flooding has affected 5.15 lakh people in 947 villages across 49 blocks. Odisha recorded 953 mm of rainfall between June and August 16, about 27% above normal. The IMD said the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to concentrate into a depression within 24 hours. Heavy rain is forecast for three days from August 16.