Bhubaneswar, September 27, 2026: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi began an aerial survey on Sunday of areas in Ganjam, Koraput and Nabarangpur that were affected by flooding after heavy rain caused water levels in rivers to rise.

Heavy rainfall has affected 13 districts of the state, while local administrations are evacuating people to safer locations.

Meanwhile, the Hirakud Dam opened two more gates on Sunday to release excess water flowing into the reservoir. Water is now being released through 22 gates. The current water level of the reservoir is 628.29 feet, against a maximum level of 630 feet.

The state government had evacuated more than 70,000 people from low-lying areas by Saturday and shifted them to 395 relief camps.

Majhi decided to review the situation along with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and State Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil. However, his aerial survey began around two hours late due to a technical problem with the helicopter.

After visiting the affected areas of Ganjam, Koraput and Nabarangpur in southern Odisha, the Chief Minister will reach Jeypore in Koraput district, where he will hold a review meeting. In the afternoon, he will also visit rain-affected areas of Nabarangpur.

Officials said heavy rain and flooding occurred in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Balangir and Jagatsinghpur due to a deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal.

Balasore is among the worst-affected districts, with three major rivers flowing above the danger mark.

The water level of the Subarnarekha River at Rajghat in Jaleswar was 11.68 metres at 6 a.m., while the danger mark is 10.36 metres. Flooding has affected villages in Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal and Basta blocks.

In Mayurbhanj, authorities at Similipal National Park temporarily closed the tourist site of Devkund after water levels increased in several streams and drains.