Weather Alert / Rain Eases in Odisha, But Subarnarekha Fury Drowns Northern Baleshwar

Bhubaneswar, Sep 3: Odisha has received slight relief as rainfall intensity has decreased across the state. The Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre reported that a low‑pressure system, currently active over western Jharkhand and adjoining northeastern Madhya Pradesh, is no longer exerting significant influence over Odisha.

As a result, heavy rainfall warnings have been lifted, though light to moderate showers are still expected in some coastal and northern districts.

Forecasts for the next 24 hours indicate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph in districts such as Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Kendujhar.

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The weather office has issued a yellow warning for these areas, cautioning residents to remain alert. Conditions of scattered rainfall are expected to persist across the state for the next five days.

Meanwhile, flood concerns remain severe in northern Baleshwar due to the swelling of the Subarnarekha River. Although the water level has begun to recede gradually, it continues to flow above the danger mark.

At Rajghat, where the danger level is 10.36 meters, the river was recorded at 11.32 meters at 7 am on Thursday. Rising waters have inundated low‑lying areas in Baliapal, Bhograi, and Jaleswar blocks, leaving thousands of hectares of paddy fields submerged. Crops that had been transplanted only days earlier have been destroyed, worsening the plight of farmers.

Floodwaters have entered homes, damaging food grains, furniture, and household items. Roads in several places are submerged under four feet of water, cutting off communication and isolating villages.

Livestock are facing acute shortages of fodder as floodwaters remain stagnant across large areas. With conventional transport disrupted, residents are relying on country boats and powerboats to move through inundated regions.

The recurring flood situation has intensified hardship for communities in northern Baleshwar, where repeated inundation has left families struggling to recover.

Authorities continue to monitor river levels while urging people in vulnerable areas to remain cautious until water recedes further.