Flood Displacement Affects 140,000 People in Eastern India

September 29, New Delhi – Indian authorities announced on Tuesday that at least 140,000 people have been relocated to safer areas from the lower regions of Odisha following a flood warning triggered by rising water levels in the Mahanadi River. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that the government has successfully evacuated those affected in the flood-prone lower areas of Odisha.

Officials reported that an increased discharge of water from the Hirakud Dam has caused flooding along densely populated coastal areas through which the Mahanadi flows. This flooding has contributed to a severe seasonal flood crisis across various parts of India, while the state of Kerala continues its struggle with devastating floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and landslides in hilly regions. The repeated impact of adverse weather this year has simultaneously affected states such as Assam and Gujarat, further stressing infrastructure and disaster management systems to prevent the recurrence of past damages.