Flood fury in Kendrapara; Brahmani, Kharasrota, Kani rivers inundate several villages

The flood situation in Odisha's Kendrapara district continues to remain grim as rising waters from the Brahmani, Kharasrota, and Kani rivers have inundated several low-lying areas, leaving thousands stranded and vast agricultural land submerged.

In Aul block alone, at least 12 panchayats have been severely affected. The situation is particularly alarming in the Dhoya region, where connectivity to 10 panchayats has been completely cut off. The Manpur-Gobindpur road, a vital link to Dhoya, is under seven feet of floodwater, making transportation impossible. Villagers are now solely dependent on country boats to commute, while hundreds of hectares of standing crops have gone underwater.

Residents report that many villages have been marooned for the past three days, worsening their daily struggle for food, drinking water, and shelter. The fear of crocodile attacks during night hours has also added to the woes of flood victims.

In the Rajnagar block too, floodwaters from the swelling Brahmani river have entered five panchayats, cutting off around 30 villages from the outside world. Boats have become the only means of movement in these regions.

“Our village has been marooned, and all connectivity has been cut off. The district administration is yet to provide any assistance. We are dependent on private boats, and our lives are at risk,” alleged Ajay Pradhan, a resident of Petapada.

Echoing the same concern, Bilasini Das, a resident of Manpur, said, “Our village has been submerged for the past four to five days. The road is completely waterlogged, and we are facing severe hardship, especially in managing our livestock.”