Odisha’s disaster‑management unit moved more than 70,000 residents into 395 relief camps on Saturday as monsoon rains swelled every major river.
The Subarnarekha, Budhabalang and other rivers burst their banks, with the Subarnarekha reaching 11.07 m at Jaleswar’s Rajghat—well above its 10.36‑m danger mark—while the Budhabalang stood at 8.8 m over NH‑16 in Govindpur.
Eleven gates of the Hirakud Dam were opened Saturday, raising the reservoir to 629.56 ft against its full‑capacity level of 530 ft, Suresh Pujari, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, said.
Thirty‑three ODRAF teams, three NDRF units and roughly 300 fire‑service personnel are scouring the flood‑plains, but bridges over the Devkund stream have been washed away, a park official warned.
A mother from Bhograi, who lost her roof and two chickens, said, "We’re sleeping in tents, hoping for a clear sky tomorrow."
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will fly over the worst‑hit districts Sunday morning to assess damage, while rescue crews continue to clear debris.