The flood situation in northern Odisha has worsened after heavy rainfall caused several rivers to rise above danger levels. More than 7.85 lakh people across six districts have been affected, with large areas of villages and farmland submerged.
Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara and Keonjhar are among the worst-hit areas. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, visited Jajpur and Bhadrak to review the flood situation and the ongoing rescue and relief work.
How Much Rain Has Odisha Received?
Heavy rainfall across northern Odisha has pushed water levels in the Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Jalaka and Subarnarekha rivers higher. Several areas have also reported embankment breaches, worsening the flooding. The average rainfall recorded in the river basins was 77.6 mm in the Budhabalanga basin, 47.9 mm in the Baitarani basin and 36 mm in the Subarnarekha basin.
Jajpur and Bhadrak are among the worst-affected districts. The Baitarani River has crossed its danger level at Akhuapada, flooding large parts of areas including Dasarathpur and Bari. In Balasore and Kendrapara, several villages have been left surrounded by floodwater. Large areas of farmland have also been submerged, while waterlogging has disrupted electricity supply in many places.
Some residential schools were also cut off by floodwater, leaving students stranded until rescue teams reached them. Flood-related damage has also disrupted train services on the Baripada-Bangiriposi route.
What Weather Warnings Has The IMD Issued?
The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for several parts of Odisha as more rain is expected. A red warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Orange and yellow warnings have also been issued for several other districts, including Puri, Khordha, Cuttack and Sambalpur.
The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal and along the Odisha coast because of rough weather conditions.
How Is The Odisha Government Responding?
The state government has stepped up rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. More than 2.37 lakh people have been moved to safer locations and relief camps. Around 100 rescue teams from the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services have been deployed, with boats being used to reach people trapped by floodwater. The government has also cancelled official leave in vulnerable areas and ordered schools and educational institutions to remain closed in Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
Medical teams are working in the affected areas and distributing water-purifying tablets to help prevent waterborne diseases. Authorities are also keeping anti-snake venom ready as snakes have been entering homes and other buildings because of the rising and receding floodwater. Officials continue to monitor river levels and carry out rescue operations as the flood situation develops.
