Bhubaneswar, July 28, (OT Webdesk) — Northern Odisha is grappling with severe flooding triggered by relentless rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Subarnarekha, Baitarani, and Jalaka rivers.
Districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur have been inundated, displacing thousands and damaging homes, crops, and infrastructure.
In Balasore, floodwaters from the Subarnarekha have submerged villages in Jaleswar, Bhograi, Basta, and Baliapal blocks.
Bhadrak’s Dhamnagar and Tihidi, along with Jajpur’s Dasarathpur, are reeling under the impact of the Baitarani’s surge. The Jalaka river has breached danger levels in Chandbali and parts of Jajpur.
Relief operations are underway across six districts, with shelters providing cooked meals and dry rations. In Sundargarh’s Koida block, aid finally reached 50 stranded families after three days.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari assured that compensation will be disbursed within 24 hours of damage assessment.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is expected to conduct an aerial survey on July 29, weather permitting. Meanwhile, the Hirakud and Rengali dams are managing inflows and outflows to prevent further escalation.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 15 districts, prompting emergency teams to remain on standby. Schools in four panchayats of Dhamnagar have been closed for safety.
