Waves of rain: on Odisha and intense rain events

Published 2026-09-29 · Updated 2026-09-29 · 3 min · 582 words

UPSC CSE Context

Why in News

Odisha recorded 1,453 mm rainfall (29% excess) by September 25, 2024, due to 11 Bay of Bengal systems, causing widespread floods and landslides.

Syllabus Connection

Disaster management, climate change, urban flooding, and governance (GS Paper 3 and GS Paper 1).

Exam Relevance

Provides a case study on extreme weather events, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation for UPSC CSE Mains and Prelims.

Core Issue

Odisha faces repeated intense rainfall causing floods and landslides.

Key Development

11 atmospheric systems over Bay of Bengal led to 29% excess rainfall, affecting over 18.7 lakh people.

Stakeholders

• Odisha State Government
• India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Affected communities
• CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General)
• Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology

Static Knowledge

High-Value Background

• Odisha's geography: southern highlands prone to landslides, coastal deltaic plains with low gradient causing poor drainage.
• El Niño typically suppresses Indian monsoon rainfall, but local weather systems can override this effect.

Exam Linkage

• Useful for questions on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and urban planning in coastal states.

Concepts in Context

• Runoff increases when soil is saturated and storage is full, leading to flash floods.
• Climate change is linked to more intense rainfall events and delayed monsoon withdrawal.

Institutions and Mechanisms

• IMD provides monsoon forecasts and weather warnings.
• CAG audits disaster preparedness and infrastructure, flagging deficiencies.

Dynamic Analysis

Disaster Management

• Zero casualty policy success is challenged by repeated intense rainfall overwhelming evacuation and relief systems.
• Urban waterlogging in Berhampur indicates drainage infrastructure not designed for extreme events.
• Disruption of highways and rail networks shows lack of resilient critical infrastructure.
• Need to shift from response-centric to risk-informed planning.

Climate Change

• Increasing frequency of one-day and five-day rainfall bursts despite fewer heavy-rain days.
• Protracted monsoon withdrawal may extend flood risk period.
• Climate models project more intense precipitation events in warming world.
• Odisha's experience exemplifies adaptation challenges for coastal states.

Urban Governance

• Recurrent waterlogging in urban hubs like Berhampur highlights poor stormwater management.
• CAG 2024 flagged drain design and maintenance deficiencies, yet little improvement.
• Urban planning must integrate climate projections for drainage capacity.
• Need for investment in green infrastructure and permeable surfaces.

Socio-economic Impact

• Over 18.7 lakh people affected, with crop and infrastructure damage yet to be fully assessed.
• Repeated flooding disrupts livelihoods, especially agriculture and small businesses.
• Vulnerable populations face compounded losses due to repeated events.
• Recovery time between events is insufficient, increasing cumulative impact.

Prelims Takeaways

• 11 atmospheric systems formed over Bay of Bengal during the monsoon.

Mains Value Addition

Arguments

• Disaster management must evolve from episodic response to continuous risk reduction.
• Climate change adaptation requires redesigning urban drainage and critical infrastructure.
• Zero casualty is necessary but not sufficient; socio-economic resilience is equally important.
• Repeated extreme events demand integrated land-use and water management planning.

Examples

• Berhampur waterlogging illustrates urban drainage failure.

Data Points

• 5.2 lakh people affected by July 30, 2024; 13.5 lakh more by August 27, 2024.
• At least 60 locations received over 100 mm rain in 24 hours.

Counterpoints

• Odisha's zero casualty policy has been successful in reducing deaths, but may mask underlying vulnerabilities.
• Focus on evacuation may divert attention from long-term infrastructure investment.
• Climate attribution of individual events remains uncertain, complicating policy responses.

Way Forward

• Upgrade urban drainage systems based on climate-resilient design standards.
• Implement CAG recommendations on drain maintenance and design.
• Develop early warning systems for flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
• Promote nature-based solutions like wetland restoration to absorb excess runoff.
• Strengthen inter-agency coordination for infrastructure resilience and post-disaster recovery.

Primary/reference source: thehindu.com