TV
As the water level of Baitarani river continues to rise, fear has gripped residents in parts of Odisha’s Bhadrak district, particularly in Dhamnagar, where embankments have started giving way. Local villagers are scrambling to reinforce the weakening riverbanks using sandbags and plastic sheets in a desperate attempt to prevent floodwaters from breaching into their homes.
According to reports, nearly 200 feet of the embankment in Dhamnagar has collapsed, triggering panic among locals. The damage is spreading gradually, prompting villagers to take matters into their own hands. In the absence of immediate official response, many are sitting guard near the breaches, trying to block water seepage with makeshift barricades.
"This is the second time this year we are seeing such a situation. The officials came and left without taking concrete measures. The Minister and the Collector here have not taken any steps," alleged a local, Bivekananda Puhan.
Another resident, Basanti Samal, shared how the lives of thousands in the surrounding villages now hang in the balance as the embankment continues to erode.
“We are staying with kids and nearly 20 homes are living in constant state of fear. The embankment on the other side has been strengthened, but on this side, there is still threat,” said Samal.
Floods have already wreaked havoc in Bhandaripokhari, Tihidi, Chandbali, and Dhamnagar regions this year, damaging houses and crops. While temporary repair work was carried out earlier, the fresh breaches have raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of the embankments.
District Collector Dillip Routaray acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured that restoration work would begin immediately.
“Our team is reviewing at regular intervals. The irrigation department is on its job. We need a long-term solution. The embankment will be strengthened permanently,” he said.
Earlier last month, intense rainfall in upstream regions had led to a flood-like situation in Bhadrak. The fresh spell of rain has reignited fears among locals, who now worry that without urgent intervention, a full-fledged flood disaster may be imminent.
As weather forecasts predict more rainfall in the coming days, the people of Bhadrak brace for what could be another harsh test of resilience against nature’s fury.
