The flood situation in six districts in Odisha continued to be grim on Wednesday, impacting over 11.80 lakh people, as the state government placed Balasore district on high alert following a sharp rise in the water level of the Subarnarekha river.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari noted that while water levels in most rivers were either static or receding by Wednesday afternoon, the Subarnarekha river was rising at an alarming rate.
“The district administrations of Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj are told to be cautious, but the Balasore district collector has been specifically put on high alert and asked to take required measures. The flood in Subarnarekha could impact densely populated Baliapal, Basta, Jaleswar and Basta blocks,” the minister said while speaking to reporters.
Reports from Balasore indicated that the water level of the river was recorded at 11.22 meters at 5 pm on Wednesday, surpassing its danger mark of 10.36 meters, with further increases anticipated due to ongoing water discharges from the Galudihi and Chandili dams in neighboring Jharkhand.
“Thousands of people living in low-lying and riverbank areas in Bhograi, Jaleswar, Basta and Baliapal blocks have already been impacted. The administration has deployed rescue teams and asked people of these areas to be alert,” an official said.
While other regional rivers such as the Jalaka and Budhabalanga remained relatively stable, numerous villages were left inundated, with road transport connections completely snapped.
“Tonight is crucial for Balasore as the peak flood is expected to pass through the Subarnarekha river around midnight. The field-level officials are already at the ground level with rescue and relief teams,” Minister Pujari added.
Pujari mentioned, however, that other regions saw slight relief owing to low rainfall over the last 24 hours. He said that the second wave of flooding has impacted more than 11.80 lakh people across 1,579 villages located in 68 blocks.
More than 4 lakh people have been moved to safer place, with ongoing evacuation drives continuing in Balasore district, where the Subarnarekha continues to cause widespread disruption, he said.
Addressing queries about fatalities, the minister said that no human deaths have been officially confirmed, though four livestock casualties were reported in Balasore.
The flood situation in neighbouring Bhadrak and Jajpur districts remained equally severe, where the Salandi river stood at 17.10 meters, crossing its danger mark of 17 meters at Rajghat.
At Akhuapada, the Baitarani river’s water level held steady right at its danger mark of 18.33 meters, according to data from the Water Resources Department.
In Kendrapara district, where the Brahmani river overflowed, local administration rescued approximately 250 students from a residential school in Kulasahi who had been trapped by floodwaters for four days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued no heavy rainfall warnings for the upcoming three days leading up to August 21.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had said he directed officials concerned to extend all assistance to those affected by the floods.
Relief materials, including cooked food, are being provided to the affected people, while 171 rescue teams have been deployed, an official stated.
