TV
Flood concerns in northern Odisha eased on Monday as the water levels in key rivers like Subarnarekha and Baitarani fell below their ‘danger marks’.
Most affected areas, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Mayurbhanj districts, reported improving conditions with no road breaches or additional flooding incidents.
Also Read: Odisha lacks ability to control floods in Subarnarekha River: Water Resources Dept
According to sources, in a positive turn for the flood-hit regions, water levels in Odisha’s Subarnarekha and Baitarani rivers have begun to fall, bringing much-needed relief to the residents. As of Monday evening, the water level at Rajghat stood at 9.80 meters, below the danger mark, and is expected to recede further by evening.
Near Jalaka, water flow remains close to the warning level, though it too shows signs of decline. In Akhuapada, the Baitarani River has also receded below the danger level. This development has led to a more stable situation in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts, where no new flood conditions have been reported. Rainwater from low-lying areas is now gradually draining out.
No significant incidents have occurred across the region, with only one reported embankment breach in Jambhira under Rasagobindpur block in Mayurbhanj.
Meanwhile, 20 sluice gates of Hirakud Dam have been opened to effectively manage water discharge. At the Mundali barrage, flood discharge currently stands at 5.18 lakh cusecs.
Subarnarekha's rising waters had earlier impacted four blocks—Jaleswar, Bhogarai, Basta, and Balipal in Balasore district. A senior official has been stationed in Balasore to oversee the flood situation.
In Dhamnagar and Tihidi areas of Bhadrak, as well as Dasarathpur in Jajpur, rainwater had entered several villages, but conditions are now stabilising. Akhuapada’s river level drop is considered a key indicator of returning normalcy.
A flood was witnessed yesterday in the Subarnarekha River, which surged to 10.27 metres at Rajghat in the night at around 11.00 PM. It has been continuously receding since then,” Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief, Chandra Sekhar Padhi, stated.
“Currently, the Subarnarekha River water level is 9.80 metres. The ‘danger mark’ at Rajghat is 10.36 metres. We anticipate that the water level will go down further and recede below the warning level by this afternoon,” the Engineer-in-Chief asserted.
