Flood misery persists in coastal Odisha despite receding Brahmani water; rain warning adds to woes

Despite a slight dip in the water levels of the Brahmani River, flood-induced misery continues unabated across low-lying areas of Kendrapara and Bhadrak, where marooned villages, damaged crops, and fodder shortages have created a worsening humanitarian situation.

Sources reported that in Pattamundai’s Mandapada village of Bhadrak, floodwaters have remained stagnant for six consecutive days, soaking farmlands and destroying stored grain and fodder.

With no viable seeds left and the soil waterlogged, agricultural activities have come to a halt. The rotting of straw and grass has also triggered an acute fodder crisis, leaving livestock without feed and farmers with few recovery options.

In Kendrapara district, the situation is even more severe. Continuous overflow from the Brahmani, Kharasrota, and Kani rivers has submerged vast swathes of farmland and marooned dozens of villages.

In Aul block alone, 12 panchayats have been affected, with the Dhoya region completely cut off after floodwaters submerged the Manpur–Gobindpur road under seven feet of water.

Similarly, in Rajnagar block, floodwaters have entered five panchayats, isolating around 30 villages where residents now rely solely on country boats for mobility.
Villagers in both districts report scarcity of clean drinking water, food, and shelter, with stagnant water giving rise to health concerns.

Many families are still stranded on rooftops and in makeshift camps, awaiting relief. The fear of crocodile attacks, particularly during nighttime, has added to the distress in flood-hit zones.

New Rainfall Threat Looms Over Flood-Hit Areas

As relief efforts remain hampered by poor accessibility, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a fresh low-pressure area likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal around July 24.

This system is expected to prolong the ongoing wet spell, posing a major threat to the already inundated districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and beyond.

According to the IMD, Odisha has received 21% excess rainfall since the start of the monsoon, due to back-to-back weather disturbances. With more rain forecast in the coming days, residents fear a second wave of flooding, particularly in the interior and northern regions.

Fortunately, coastal districts like Kendrapara and Bhadrak, while currently reeling under floods, are projected to receive comparatively less rainfall in the upcoming spell. 

However, backflow and upstream water discharge may continue to affect these regions, delaying recovery and posing secondary flood risks.