Heavy Rain Batters Rayagada, Rivers Swell but Remain Below Danger Mark; Deputy CM Pravati Parida Reviews Disaster Preparedness; Administration Focuses on Zero Casualties
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, October 28, 2026: Heavy rainfall across Rayagada district over the past 24 hours has swollen rivers and feeder streams, prompting the district administration to step up disaster preparedness. However, the Vansadhara, Nagavali and Jhanjabati rivers continue to flow below their respective danger levels, according to the information provided by the district administration.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida arrived in the district on the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to review emergency preparedness and cyclone-response arrangements. She is scheduled to remain in Rayagada until October 29.
According to district rainfall figures, the district received a cumulative 460.77 mm of rainfall, with an average of 41.88 mm across its 11 blocks. Gunupur recorded the highest rainfall at 105.7 mm, followed by Gudari at 53.8 mm and Rayagada at 53.4 mm. Ramanaguda received 46.27 mm, Kashipur 38.3 mm, Padmapur 38.2 mm and Kolnara 37.2 mm, while Muniguda recorded the lowest rainfall at 6.8 mm.
Parida chaired a high-level review meeting attended by District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni, Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad, CDO-cum-Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Akshay Kumar Khemundu and heads of various departments. The meeting reviewed the monitoring of vulnerable river basins and low-lying areas, deployment readiness of disaster-response teams, emergency shelter arrangements, availability of essential supplies and drainage clearance in municipal areas.
The administration’s priority is to minimise the impact of adverse weather, protect vulnerable communities and ensure a swift response to emergencies. Addressing media personnel, Parida appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid panic, assuring them that the state government was taking necessary steps to safeguard lives, livelihoods and property.
The continuing rainfall has also raised concerns about waterlogging in low-lying agricultural areas. Agriculture and revenue officials have advised farmers to clear field channels and maintain proper drainage to protect standing paddy crops from prolonged waterlogging. Although the major rivers are reported to remain below danger levels, further rainfall could increase water levels in river systems and affect vulnerable settlements. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to follow official weather bulletins and instructions issued by the administration.
With the Deputy Chief Minister scheduled to remain in the district until October 29, monitoring and preparedness measures are continuing. The situation will depend on subsequent rainfall and changes in river levels.
