Rain Fury / Rising Budhabalanga Water Inundates Parts Of Baripada

Baripada, Aug 13: A flood-like situation emerged in Baripada following incessant rain and heavy rainfall in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, with rising water levels in the Budhabalanga river inundating several parts of the town, a source said Thursday.

Several areas have been submerged following the heavy downpour, while floodwater has entered homes, disrupting normal life for residents.

Waterlogging Gives Way To Flooding
According to Baripada Municipality Ward 7 councillor Prashant Kumar Behera, heavy rain since Wednesday night initially created a waterlogging situation in the town.

"Areas such as Bagicha Sahi in Madhuban and the locality behind Satabhauni Temple, which do not usually experience flooding, were affected by accumulated rainwater. The administration subsequently used pumps to drain the accumulated water during the morning", Behera said.

However, the situation changed after the water level in the Budhabalanga river rose sharply between around 10 am and 11 am today.

Floodwater Enters Residential Areas
By around 2 pm, floodwater from the river had started entering different localities and subsequently reached several houses.

According to the councillor, floodwater from Similipal has not yet reached Baripada in its entirety. This has raised concerns about a further deterioration of the situation if more water flows downstream.

Also Read: Smart City, Flooded Streets: Bhubaneswar’s Monsoon Woes

Residents Evacuated To Shelters
The administration and local representatives have been using public announcement systems to alert residents in different localities.

People living in low-lying and vulnerable areas are being evacuated to safer locations, including flood shelters and nearby schools.

So far, around 150 to 200 people have reportedly taken shelter in safer locations, the source informed.

Dry Food Supplied To Affected People
The administration has made arrangements to provide relief to people staying at the shelters.

Dry food items, including flattened rice and jaggery, are being supplied to those affected by the flooding. Arrangements have also been made to provide cooked food by the evening.

The administration is closely monitoring the situation as water levels continue to remain a concern across the affected areas.