Balasore Battles Rising Waters as River Crosses Danger Mark
Key Points
Subarnarekha River’s water level rose to 10.70m, breaching the danger mark.
Over 50 villages in Baliapal, Basta, and Jaleswar blocks are flooded. Rescue teams, boats, and food aid have been mobilized by the administration.
Balasore, Aug 26: The water level of the Subarnarekha River has surged once again, crossing the danger mark of 10.36 meters at Rajghat and reaching 10.70 meters by 6 am on Tuesday.
This marks a concerning rise from Monday’s level of 10.55 meters, triggering widespread flooding across multiple blocks in Balasore district.
More than 50 villages across Baliapal, Basta, and Jaleswar blocks are now surrounded by floodwaters.
In Baliapal block alone, over 30 villages from panchayats such as Asti, Bishnupur, Madhupura, and Jamkunda are inundated. Basta block has also been severely affected, with floodwaters entering villages under panchayats like Nabara, Singla, Putura, Kadarayan, Raghunathpur, and Choramara. Jaleswar block’s Paiksida, Baiganbadia, Paschimbad, Jharpipal, and Kotasahi panchayats are also under water.
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In response, the district administration has deployed two ODRAF teams, two fire service units, and ten motorized boats from the SRC to assist in rescue and relief operations. Dry food and cooked meals are being distributed to affected residents.
Senior officials including RDC Tapas Poonam Guha, Balasore Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas, Basta MLA Subasini Jena, and other administrative officers visited the flood-hit areas by boat to assess the situation firsthand.
With rainfall continuing in the upper catchment areas,
authorities remain on high alert for further rise in water levels.