Flood Fury / Flood Threat Looms as Jalaka River near Danger Mark

Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: Heavy rainfall in northern Odisha has pushed the Jalaka river’s water level dangerously close to the danger mark, raising fresh flood concerns for farmers and residents in Basta block of Mayurbhanj district.

According to official reports, the river’s water level at Mathani stood at 6.48 meters at 6 AM, just below the danger mark of 6.50 meters. Although the level had slightly receded compared to yesterday, overnight downpours across Mayurbhanj have renewed fears of further rise.

The biggest worry remains the submerged farmland. Hundreds of hectares of paddy fields are still under water, leaving farmers anxious about crop loss.

Also read: Low-Pressure Area Likely Over Bay of Bengal; Odisha Braces For Heavy Rain

Many had taken loans to cultivate paddy this season, hoping to sustain their families. Now, with fields inundated, they face uncertainty over whether cultivation will be possible at all this year.

Farmers expressed despair, saying the land they depended on for survival is now submerged. “We had hoped to grow paddy and feed our families, but the fields are under water. If crops fail, how will we survive?” lamented a farmer.

Authorities note that floodwater has not drained from low‑lying areas, worsening the damage. The dual challenge of rising river levels and stagnant water has left farmers staring at financial distress.

Adding to the concern, meteorologists warn of a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, likely to trigger a low‑pressure area within 24 hours. This system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha for the next two days, with rain continuing for up to five days.

The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for six districts — Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh — forecasting intense rainfall that could worsen flooding.