Odisha starts evacuating people as rivers swell; Hirakud Dam opens 16 gates

The Odisha government on Saturday began evacuating people from low-lying areas as heavy rainfall over the past few days caused rivers across the state to swell. Flash floods were reported in nine districts, while the Hirakud Dam opened 16 gates to release excess water into the Mahanadi, officials said. Balasore district has reported 14,660 people affected across 91 villages.