Flood Fury / Water Recedes, Trouble Stays: Bhadrak Villages Remain Cut Off

Bhadrak, Aug 22: Although floodwaters in the Baitarani and Salandi rivers have receded significantly upstream, several low-lying areas of Odisha’s Bhadrak district continue to remain inundated, with floodwater stagnant across farmland and several villages still cut off, a source said on Saturday.

In Dhamnagar block, more than 100 hectares of farmland in Raipur, Bhatasahi, Arjunpur, Hasanabad and Sahaspur panchayats remain submerged. The floodwater has reportedly destroyed paddy crops across the affected areas.

Breaches Being Repaired
In the Salandi river system, repair work is underway at several breaches after floodwaters receded.

A breach measuring more than 30 feet at Rajmukundapur under Arnapal panchayat is being repaired on a war footing. A 100-foot breach at Talagopabindha and a 20-foot breach at Hatnagar have also been repaired, the source informed.

In Tihidi block, floodwater receded from villages in Bodak, Baro, Kampada, Shyamsundarpur, Barasar and Gobindapur panchayats. However, vast stretches of agricultural land in these areas remain submerged.

Also Read: 13.44 Lakh People Affected as Floods Hit Seven Odisha Districts; Rivers Showing Falling Trend

Six Villages Cut Off In Chandbali
The situation remains particularly difficult in Chandbali block, where eight villages in Aradi, Nandapur, Bhuinbruti, Madhapur and Nalagunda panchayats continue to remain waterlogged and rescue operations are underway.

In the low-lying Nalagunda panchayat, six villages have reportedly remained inundated for the past 15 days, leaving residents cut off from the outside world.

Residents are struggling with disruption to normal life as floodwaters continue to surround the villages. The situation has worsened after a second spell of flooding hit the area before people could recover from the first flood.

The Fire Services department remains on alert for emergency rescue operations, while the local administration is monitoring the situation. Fire personnel have been carrying out rescue operations and shifting people to medical facilities whenever required.

Schools, Anganwadi Centres Shut
In view of the prevailing flood situation, the district administration had ordered the closure of 225 Anganwadi centres and 139 schools across four blocks on Saturday.

Despite the gradual fall in river levels, the continuing waterlogging in low-lying areas has left thousands of residents facing prolonged hardship, particularly those dependent on agriculture.