Mangalpur barrage release triggers Odisha flash floods and evacuations
Odisha's Kalahandi district faced major flash floods this week after 412 cusecs of water were released from the Mangalpur Barrage of the Indravati Project into the already swollen Hati River, flooding several villages.
Rescue teams have already evacuated 293 people and handed out emergency food as more rain is expected till August 26.
Schools in Nabarangpur and 89 at-risk schools in Bhadrak would remain closed on Monday for safety.
Bhadrak flooding affects about 300,000 people
Some areas saw extreme heavy rainfall: Thuamula Rampur got a whopping 345mm in just one day.
Weather officials have put several districts on alert and told fishermen to avoid the sea until things calm down.
In Bhadrak alone, flooding has affected about 300,000 people across 244 villages.
To help out, authorities have set up medical centers and are handing out supplies like anti-snake venom and oral rehydration salts to tackle health risks from snakebites and dirty water.