Balasore, June 24: Even as floodwater from the Subarnarekha River began to recede, the suffering of residents in northern Balasore continues to mount.

According to sources, Bhograi and Baliapal blocks remain the worst affected, with 30 villages across 19 panchayats still submerged. Several roads and village have been waterlogged, hundreds of acres of farmland- including standing paddy crops- have been destroyed, and schools and anganwadi centers remain shut in many areas. Locals are relying on country boats to reach markets and other essential services.

A tragic incident was reported from Gabagaon village in Bhograi block, where a 12-year-old boy, Kahna De, drowned after slipping into floodwater while walking along a submerged road.

Despite the water level in the Subarnarekha dropping, agricultural fields remain inundated. For the people of northern Balasore, annual floods have become a recurring nightmare. Residents lament that despite 24 years of appeals to the previous BJD government for the Subarnarekha River restoration and canal project, no concrete action has been taken.

The district administration has begun distributing dry food and drinking water to affected families. According to Additional District Magistrate Sudhakar Nayak, the agriculture department has been instructed to assess crop damage.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department forecast more rainfall over the next five days, with heavy showers expected in southern and northern Odisha within the next 24 hours. Gusty winds are also likely, raising concerns about further hardship for already distressed communities.

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