Language Settings
Select Website Language

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Red Alert for 4 Odisha Districts as Deep Depression Nears Coast Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri

1 hour ago

3

0

Odisha deploys 33 ODRAF units and evacuates over 3,500 people as a deep depression brings heavy rain to Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.

The Odisha government positioned disaster response forces across southern and western districts on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) as heavy rain driven by a deep depression caused water-logging and landslides in several areas. The India Meteorological Department issued a heavy-rain warning for four districts - Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri.

The deep depression lay over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and was moving slowly. It was expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts close to Kalingapatnam on Wednesday night. Officials said there was no possibility of a cyclone, but the administration was told to keep the highest level of preparedness and take all precautionary measures.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the situation and directed all departments to work in coordination and ensure zero casualties. He said officials had been asked to move people out of waterlogged areas to safer locations and to provide them with relief. More than 3,500 people had already been evacuated to safer places.

33 ODRAF units deployed

A total of 33 units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force were sent to the affected districts, according to government sources. Six teams were deployed in Ganjam, six in Koraput, three each in Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada, two in Kalahandi and one in Balangir. In addition, nine ODRAF teams stationed at Chhatrapur in Ganjam were kept in reserve.

The deployment concentrated forces in the districts flagged by the IMD and in coastal and southern areas expected to feel the strongest effects as the system approached land. The reserve teams gave the administration a buffer to respond quickly if conditions worsened after the system crossed the coast.

Where the rain fell hardest

The state recorded widespread rain during the day. Baleshwar district saw the highest fall, 126.4 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Paralakhemundi followed with 119.4 mm and Koraput with 116.4 mm. Koraput was among the four districts under the IMD warning and also carried a heavy share of the response effort, with six ODRAF teams assigned to it.

Berhampur, a town in southern Odisha, witnessed water-logging as the heavy rain came down. The combination of steady rainfall and the slow-moving system raised the risk of further inundation and landslides in low-lying and hilly parts of the affected belt.

The warning districts of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri sit across southern and western Odisha, the same zone where the government focused its evacuations and rescue teams. With the depression forecast to make its closest approach to the coast overnight, the administration held its forces in place to manage flooding, clear affected areas and shift residents to safety.Odisha deep depression, Odisha red warning, IMD heavy rain Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, ODRAF deployment, Bay of Bengal depression, Koraput rainfall, Odisha flooding 2026

Click here to Read More
Previous Article
Students Build $100 Handheld Muon Detector for Space Particles
Next Article
Sitharaman Urges BRICS to Unite on Transfer Pricing

Related India Updates:

Are you sure? You want to delete this comment..! Remove Cancel

Comments (0)

    Leave a comment