TV
Heavy rainfall since last night has brought civic life to almost a standstill in Barbil town of Odisha's Keonjhar district. Water has entered homes in several localities, rendering many residents homeless. Some affected families have taken shelter in nearby Anganwadi centres for safety, sources said on Wednesday.
Also Read: Heavy to very heavy rainfall to batter Odisha for next two days, orange alert in 7 districts
According to the sources, continuous rain since Tuesday night has thrown normal life out of gear in Barbil town. Residents are facing severe difficulties as water has entered their homes in several localities, especially the low-lying areas.
Rainwater enters households
Worst-hit localities include Dhobi Hating, Pal Hating, Mahanta Basti (a slum), and the areas surrounding Mausima Temple located under Barbil civic limits. People living in these areas are allegedly in dire conditions due to a flood-like situation.
In addition to the waterlogging, some kutcha houses have reportedly collapsed due to the prolonged rain, leaving families without shelter. Many of the affected residents have now taken refuge in nearby Anganwadi centres.
The situation remains grim as rainfall continues, and local authorities have not announced any major relief measures. Civic bodies are being urged to act swiftly to drain out water and assist the displaced.
In its mid-day bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) regional centre stated, “The well-marked low pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal & neighbourhood persists at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 18th June 2025. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 Km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height, also persists. It is likely to move slowly northwestwards across Jharkhand during the next 24 hours.”
The IMD has issued Red alerts in Keonjhar district for the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, the Department mentioned.
