TV
A continuing spell of intense rainfall and persistent river swelling in Jajpur district has escalated concerns over riverbank stability near Nizampur, where renewed erosion activity has been reported close to the site of an earlier collapse.
Though no major breach has been confirmed, officials said that the situation remains precarious as the Baitarani River continues to run above the caution level in parts of the region.
As reported yesterday, an earlier section of the riverbank at Nuapatna near Nizampur had already suffered damage due to heavy currents. In the hours following it, rain-fed inflows have continued to pound the same stretch.
Sources reported that a soft earthen island and sediment deposit in the river channel near the newly constructed bridge are still disrupting the flow, causing further scouring of the bank edge.
Minor Repairs Near Nuapatna, Continuous Monitoring in Place
Engineers have carried out emergency sandbagging and deposited loose soil to plug fresh erosion and confirmed that this new reinforcement was completed before daybreak today.
Water Resources officials are also examining hydrodynamic factors near the midstream formation that is believed to be accelerating lateral pressure along the weakened riverbank.
A team from the Dasarathpur block administration is stationed on-site to provide updates, while excavation machinery and additional materials have been kept on standby in case further repairs are needed.
District authorities, engineers from the Water Resources Department, and the Works Department have conducted a joint inspection of the vulnerable zone to assess the latest signs of embankment stress and potential risks to nearby infrastructure.
“We are closely monitoring the water levels of the Baitarani and Brahmini rivers passing through the district. Our BDOs and Tehsildars are stationed there and are taking active steps to combat erosion and riverbank subsidence,” said Jajpur Collector P Anwesha Reddy.
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Rising Baitarani and Widespread Rain Intensify Watch
As of Monday morning, the Baitarani River at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district was flowing at 18.03 metres, above the caution level of 17.83 metres but below the danger mark of 18.33 metres.
The water surge follows a period of moderate to heavy rainfall across Odisha triggered by a low-pressure system hovering over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha. Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Bhadrak districts recorded high rainfall over the weekend, with upstream regions contributing to the current high flow in the river system.
