Rain Fury / Heavy Rain, Rising Rivers Trigger Flood-Like Conditions In Four Odisha Districts

Baleshwar, Aug 14: Persistent rain and rising river levels have triggered flood-like conditions across Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Keonjhar, inundating villages, homes, roads and farmland in several areas, sources said Friday.

Baleshwar
Persistent rain has triggered an artificial flood-like situation in northern Bhograi, with water inundating roads, homes and agricultural fields across 18 gram panchayats. Residents are facing severe inconvenience as rainwater has failed to drain, while excess water from neighbouring West Bengal has worsened the situation.


Water is flowing at a depth of around three feet over the Nachinda-Mandaruni and Nachinda-Barbatia main roads, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. Several villages, including Kamarda, Balim, Nahara, Nachinda, Dudapal, Gunasartha, Mahagab, Kulida, Sianroi, Daruha, Kachuaadi, Baunshadiha, Putina, Gabagaon, Kusuda, and Kharidpipal, remain waterlogged. Roads, houses and farmland have been inundated, damaging vegetable and paddy crops.

Bhadrak
With the water levels of the Baitarani and Salandi rivers rising, the Bhadrak district administration held a review meeting in Dhamnagar to assess flood preparedness. The meeting, chaired by District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, was attended by Additional District Magistrate Ravi Narayan Sahu, Sub-Collector Saurabh Chakraborty, Dhamnagar BDO Banabihari Dinda, Tehsildar Gyanaranjan Sahu and other officials.


The Collector directed officials to ensure necessary preparedness and take precautionary measures concerning rescue and relief operations, communication and essential services in vulnerable areas.

Also Read: Mayurbhanj Flood Situation Grim As Budhabalanga Rises; Schools Shut

Jajpur
Floodwater from the Baitarani river has entered several panchayats in Korei block, leaving multiple villages waterlogged. The block administration has made arrangements for affected residents, with Anganwadi centres and schools designated as temporary flood shelters.


Dry food has been arranged, while cooked meals will be provided wherever required, the Korei BDO said. Government officials have been deployed in the affected areas, with arrangements in place to evacuate residents to safer locations if necessary. Agricultural land is likely to be significantly affected by the flooding.

Kendujhar
Persistent rain has caused waterlogging in several areas of Patana and Saharapada blocks, with the Baitarani river swelling. Near Patana, floodwater has reached the gate of the Baitarani Parameswar Temple.

Several roads remain submerged, while around four feet of water is flowing over a drain on the road connecting NH-220 through Kapundi. The route connects Kundala and Banbir with Thakurmunda and has been cut off.


Meanwhile, more than five feet of floodwater is flowing over the Tel river bridge near Kumulabahali village in Saharapada block, completely disrupting road connectivity between Saharapada in Kendujhar district and Thakurmunda in Mayurbhanj district.

A new bridge is under construction, but work is currently stalled, leaving the diversion bridge vulnerable to inundation and forcing the closure of the route.