Odisha floods kill 3, affect over 230,000

Heavy rainfall and severe flooding have claimed at least three lives and affected over 230,000 people across multiple districts in Odisha, with rescue operations ongoing and major rivers flowing above danger levels. The situation remained critical on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, as a slow-moving weather system continued to lash the state with torrential rain, causing flash floods that have marooned hundreds of villages.

Officials confirmed three fatalities, all reported from Keonjhar district. The victims include a fire service personnel who died of electrocution while on rescue duty, an elderly man killed in a wall collapse, and a child whose body was found in floodwaters. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari noted that these deaths occurred in a district that has been comparatively less affected than the worst-hit areas. He stated there have been no reports of human or animal casualties from the most severely impacted districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.

The flooding has impacted a wide area. Six northern districts-Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Dhenkanal-have been severely affected, with at least eight other districts also...