Low Pressure Triggers Heavy Showers in Flood‑Hit Odisha Districts

Even as floodwaters recede slowly across northern Odisha, fresh rainfall has begun in several districts following a low‑pressure formation over the northwest Bay of Bengal.The renewed downpour has raised concerns among flood‑affected communities still struggling to return home.Heavy rain was recorded from Saturday evening in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and coastal belts, with waterlogging persisting in many villages. In Balasore’s Bhograi area, 16 panchayats remain inundated by Subarnarekha floodwaters. Thousands of people are still in relief camps, unable to return to their homes.Public health teams have been deployed to monitor conditions in flood‑hit areas. Mobile medical camps are treating cases of fever, diarrhoea, snakebite, and skin infections. Officials said over 55,000 people have received medical care, with 200 snakebite cases and more than 500 diarrhoea patients identified.The IMD Bhubaneswar has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Koraput districts, while yellow warnings remain for Baleshwar and Bhadrak. In the past 24 hours, Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi recorded 345 mm rainfall, and Gunupur 260 mm.Relief and restoration work continues, with ministers and MPs visiting affected areas to review damage. The Water Resources Department has directed urgent repair of embankments, roads, and food distribution. Authorities have urged residents in low‑lying and riverbank areas to remain vigilant as more rain is expected in the coming days.