Round-the-Clock Vigilance Across Districts Advised
- Shri Suresh Pujari reviews district-wise preparedness, emphasizes swift relief and coordinated response
- Government assures adequate preparedness; all major rivers below warning level, situation remains under control
Bhubaneswar, July 27, 2026: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari today chaired a high-level preparatory-cum-review meeting at the Revenue Conference Hall, Lok Seva Bhawan to assess the State’s preparedness in view of the Deep Depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the prevailing weather situation.
Reviewing the preparedness of each district individually, the Minister directed all district administrations to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and ensure prompt response to any eventuality. Stressing that protection of human life remains the Government’s foremost priority, he instructed officials to ensure timely evacuation of vulnerable people, wherever required, and make adequate arrangements for cooked food, dry ration, drinking water, shelter and other essential relief measures. He also emphasized close coordination among all emergency response departments to facilitate swift and effective response on the ground.
Collectors, BDOs and senior officials of many districts like Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Kendujhar, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Kalahandi and Sundaragada amongst others, joined the meeting through video conferencing and apprised the Minister of the preparedness measures undertaken in their respective districts. Shri Pujari directed all District administrators to remain in constant touch with field-level officials and closely monitor vulnerable locations to ensure that any emerging situation is addressed without delay.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Deep Depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal–North Odisha coasts is likely to move north-northwestwards and cross the West Bengal–North Odisha coast between Odisha’s Baleshwar and West Bengal’s Canning during the late afternoon and evening of July 27.
- Red Warning has been issued for Sundaragada, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts,
- Orange Warning for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Subarnapur, Boudhagada and Kandhamal
- Yellow Warning for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagada districts.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) continues to monitor the evolving situation round the clock in close coordination with all District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) and concerned departments. Since July 1, Odisha has received 517.6 mm of cumulative rainfall, which is 75.7 per cent above the seasonal average.
The review noted that all major rivers in the State are flowing below the warning level, with no adverse incidents reported from any district so far. District administrations have already activated precautionary measures, including preparedness for evacuation wherever necessary, localized flood response, uninterrupted essential services, and relief distribution. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the northwest Bay of Bengal and along and off the Odisha coast till July 29.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to public safety, Shri Pujari said all departments are working in close coordination and that every district has been instructed to remain fully prepared. He emphasized that the situation is being monitored continuously on a 24×7 basis and that the Government is ready to respond promptly to any weather-related eventuality.
The meeting was attended by Additional Special Relief Commissioner Shri Padmanav Behera, Joint Special Relief Commissioner Smt. Snigdha Champatiray, Officers on Special Duty at the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, and other senior officials.
