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Flooding in Bhadrak earlier this year
Two major rivers in northern Odisha have crossed danger levels, for a second time in less than a month, following continuous rainfall in the upper catchments, raising concerns of fresh inundation in low-lying areas.
According to the Water Resources Department, the Subarnarekha at Rajghat in Balasore and the Baitarani at Akhuapada in Bhadrak both breached warning levels on Sunday morning.
At Rajghat, the Subarnarekha was recorded at 10.48 metres at 7 am, above the danger level of 10.36 metres and the warning level of 9.45 metres. Officials attributed the surge to heavy rainfall in Jharkhand and increased water release from the Galudih barrage.
Notably, this is the sixth time in 2025 that the river has crossed the danger level, with earlier episodes already causing repeated flooding in Baliapal, Jaleswar and Bhograi blocks. Several villages in these areas faced crop losses, damaged houses, and multiple rounds of evacuation this monsoon season.
In Bhadrak district, the Baitarani touched 18.42 metres at Akhuapada, crossing its danger mark of 18.33 metres. Officials said the level was still rising due to upstream inflows.
Flood-prone panchayats in Chandbali and Dhamnagar blocks remain under watch, with past instances of embankment breaches adding to local concern.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal, expected to move towards Jharkhand within 24 hours.
Under its influence, widespread rainfall is predicted across Odisha until August 27. A Red Warning has been issued for Sundargarh district, while Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Jharsuguda are forecast to receive heavy rainfall.
The IMD also cautioned of thunderstorms with lightning and surface wind speeds reaching 30 to 40 kmph in several northern districts.
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