Flood Fury / Odisha Reels under Flood, 166 Schools Closed in Bhadrak

Bhadrak, Sep 30: Odisha is once again in the grip of devastating floods, the fourth this year, leaving villages submerged like seas and thousands of families stranded.

Crops have been washed away, homes destroyed, and farmers’ livelihoods severely hit. Roads and localities remain under chest-deep water, forcing people to abandon their homes.

In Bhadrak district, continuous rainfall and worsening flood conditions have prompted the administration to prioritize student safety. Acting on the Collector’s directive, 166 schools across five blocks — Dhamnagar, Bhadrak, Chandbali, Tihidi, and Basudevpur — remain closed Wednesday.

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Authorities cited risks to students during travel as the key reason behind the decision, stressing that safety is paramount. Further decisions will be taken after reviewing the situation.

Meanwhile, upstream water inflow has reduced, leading to fewer gates being opened at Hirakud Dam. However, with 7.54 lakh cusecs of water still being discharged, downstream regions face heightened danger.

In Kataka district, backwater from the Mahanadi has entered Athagada and Tigiria areas, submerging roads under three feet of water. The Maa Bada Bandhiani temple at Sompada has gone underwater, while Sukua Khela village remains marooned.

Baleshwar district is also reeling, with floodwaters from the Subarnarekha river cutting off hundreds of villages in Baliapal, Bhograi, and Jaleswar blocks. In Bhadrak’s Dhamnagar and Tihidi, Jajpur’s Dasarathpur, and Anugola’s Tikarpada, the situation remains grim as breaches in river embankments have worsened flooding.

Though water levels upstream are receding, experts warn it may take another three to four days for downstream areas to see relief.