TV
Relentless rainfall in northern Odisha has raised fears of a sixth flood in the Subarnarekha River this year, severely impacting parts of Balasore and Bhadrak districts. Vast stretches of farmland, including paddy and vegetable fields, lie submerged, while riverbank villages report water levels rising over four feet above normal
According to reports, the river’s danger level is 10.36 metres, but water levels measured at 8 am this morning stood at 10.80 metres, pushing the system into a high-risk zone.
The effects were already visible, with low-lying areas in Basta, Baliapal, Jaleswar, and Bhograi blocks being the worst hit, with many villages surrounded by floodwaters.
The Balasore district administration has deployed a 14-member fire services team, while Bhadrak has stationed a nine-member rescue unit. Additional teams have been rushed to Baliapal and Bhograi for relief and evacuation operations.
Villages Cut Off, Thousands Stranded
Field reports suggest that more than 10,000 residents in Bhograi block are affected, with at least five panchayats cut off from the outside world. Nearly a dozen villages in these blocks remain heavily inundated.
Several of these habitations, including Manunagar, Gabagan, and Kusuda, are completely cut off as road connectivity between Baliapal, Bhograi, and Rasulpur has collapsed under flood pressure.
Residents have begun leaving their homes as floodwaters continue to enter residential areas. Eyewitnesses reported that water currents are strong enough to sweep through village boundaries, submerging entire settlements. Local authorities fear that if rainfall continues in the upper catchment areas, the situation may worsen further.
Crop Losses Mount, Relief Awaited
Vast stretches of farmland in Bhograi and Baliapal blocks remain submerged, wiping out standing paddy and vegetable crops. Farmers, already reeling from successive floods this year, say the sixth wave of inundation has left them with little hope of recovery without urgent government assistance.
