Odisha’s 2026 monsoon nears record rainfall after heavy rains
Odisha has recorded 1,453.1mm of rain between June 1 and September 25, making 2026 the State’s second-wettest monsoon since 2000 so far. The India Meteorological Department says another 33.1mm could make it the wettest, while flooding has disrupted roads, rail services and homes.
Odisha’s 2026 monsoon is on course to become the wettest in the State since 2000 after rainfall reached 1,453.1mm by September 25. The total is already the second-highest recorded during the June-to-September monsoon season since 2000. Five days remained in the season when the figures were reported, and the India Meteorological Department said the State would surpass the 2006 record if it received more than 33.1mm of additional rain.
Odisha recorded 1,486.2mm in 2006. This year’s total compares with the normal monsoon rainfall of 1,125.7mm, representing 29% excess rainfall, according to Manorama Mohanty, director of the IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre. Mohanty said 11 weather systems, including low-pressure areas and depressions over the Bay of Bengal, had contributed to the rainfall.
She said the current deep depression had produced the highest rainfall among those systems. The continuing rain has caused disruption across the State. Roads have been cut off, train services halted and several districts inundated.
Low-lying bridges were submerged, severing road communication between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh along National Highway-326. Floodwater entered homes in low-lying areas of Malkangiri district. Rivers including the Baitarani, Rushikulya and Jhanjabati were in spate after four days of continuous rain.
The Baitarani was flowing above the danger mark at Akhuapada, raising concerns about further flooding in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. Southern districts recorded particularly heavy rain on Friday. Nabarangpur received 231.9mm, while Koraput and Malkangiri recorded 203.7mm and 146.2mm respectively, against a normal 3.4mm for Nabarangpur on September 25.
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