Crocodiles, marooned villages heighten flood misery in Odisha's Kendrapara

A worsening flood situation in Kendrapara district has left nearly 30 villages in Rajnagar block cut off from the outside world, with residents battling rising waters, a lack of relief, and fear of crocodile attacks at night.

Sources reported that the Brahmani river has been in spate for four consecutive days, submerging large parts of Pattamundai and Aul blocks and pushing thousands into a humanitarian crisis.

Residents stated that water levels have risen steadily since early this week, but claimed that authorities were yet to reach many of the worst-hit pockets.

Ground reports highlighted that in several low-lying areas, water has entered homes, schools, and health centres, forcing families to take shelter in elevated spots or remain confined indoors alongside livestock. With cooking impossible for the past three days, people are relying on meagre dry supplies and shared resources.

Lives Disrupted, Danger Escalates

In submerged villages, residents wade through waist-deep water using makeshift bamboo poles or boats to reach safer areas. Reports also suggested that panic is growing as night falls, with many gathering in single elevated spots, fearing crocodile attacks, which are not uncommon in this deltaic region.

The situation is further compounded by drinking water scarcity, as tube wells and open wells have been submerged. Health concerns are mounting due to the lack of clean water and proper sanitation.

“I haven’t lit my stove in three days. My cows are inside the house. We don’t sleep at night, not because of the water, but because we are scared of crocodiles,” said a local.

Administration Responds Amid Growing Criticism

While affected residents allege administrative apathy, local officials maintain that updates are being sent daily to the Special Relief Commissioner and that aid will reach them soon.

“We are sending daily reports to the SRC. Relief materials will be provided shortly,” said the Tehsildar of Rajnagar.

Fresh Weather Threat Looms

Amid these unfolding flood conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that another looming threat in the form of a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal around July 24, which could trigger heavy rainfall across Odisha, particularly in coastal and northern districts.

According to IMD’s bulletin issued on Friday, this low-pressure system is expected to develop due to an upper-air cyclonic circulation.

It may intensify into a depression and move west-northwestwards across Gangetic West Bengal, north Odisha, Jharkhand, and southern Chhattisgarh over the next few days.

The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has predicted widespread rainfall for the next five days across the state, which may aggravate the flood situation in Odisha.