TV
Around 50 villages in Balasore district are submerged as the Subarnarekha River surges. Two blocks—Bhogarai and Baliapal—are facing flood-like conditions, leaving multiple panchayats cut off from the outside world, sources said on Friday.
Also Read: Odisha lacks ability to control floods in Subarnarekha River: Water Resources Dept
According to the sources, heavy flooding triggered by the swelling Subarnarekha River has severely affected two major blocks in Balasore district—Bhogarai and Baliapal—leaving around 50 villages waterlogged. In Bhogarai block, 20 villages under eight panchayats are submerged, while 30 villages under six panchayats in Baliapal block remain surrounded by floodwater. The residents have got disconnected from the rest of the district.
Some of the worst-affected panchayats in Bhogarai include Kumbhiragadi, Kusuda, Gabaga, and Aruhabruti, where road access has been completely cut off. Water levels have risen to nearly 4 feet above the village roads, hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Though water levels in the Subarnarekha River have begun to recede slightly, it is still flowing above the ‘danger mark’, prompting authorities to issue ongoing alerts and advisories. Residents remain on high alert as the situation remains unpredictable.
“This is the third time that there has been river water ingress in the village. We have no other option than to move out to collect drinking water wearing Gamchha (a loincloth). Our village has been submerged for the last two days,” some locals from Kulha stated.
Worth mentioning, flood water management in the Subarnarekha River largely depends on Chandil Dam, Jharkhand. Hence, Odisha lacks the ability to control floods on its side, Water Resources Department Chief Engineer (Procurement) Sagar Mohanty had said on July 2.
