New Delhi, September 29 (QNA) – Indian authorities reported Tuesday the evacuation of at least 140,000 people from low-lying areas in the eastern state of Odisha to safe shelters, in anticipation of a new wave of flooding as water levels in the Mahanadi River rise.

Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, announced that the government had evacuated 140,000 people from low-lying regions.

Officials stated that the Mahanadi River—which flows through densely populated coastal areas—experienced "minor flooding" following the release of excess water from the Hirakud Dam.

This development is part of the severe seasonal flood crisis affecting various parts of India. The state of Kerala has historically suffered from devastating floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and landslides in mountainous areas—a pattern repeating this year alongside simultaneous flood waves hitting other states such as Assam and Gujarat. This places constant pressure on infrastructure and disaster management systems to prevent a recurrence of the losses seen in previous years. (QNA)