Subarnarekha floods 100 more villages in Odisha’s Balasore as water level rises

The flood situation in Odisha remained grim on Wednesday as the Subarnarekha River inundated 100 more villages in Balasore district following heavy rainfall in its upper catchment areas in neighbouring Jharkhand, officials said.

The water level of the Subarnarekha rose after excess water was released through 13 gates of the Galudih Barrage in Jharkhand. At Rajghat in Balasore, the river was flowing at 11.54 metres at 9 am on Wednesday, well above the danger mark of 10.36 metres.

The fresh flooding, the third such instance in the Subarnarekha this year, has affected villages in Baliapal, Jaleswar and Bhograi blocks, with several areas cut off and road connectivity disrupted, officials said.

The flooding followed heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, floodwaters in the Budhabalanga River showed signs of receding in parts of Balasore. The river had inundated areas of Remuna and Sadar blocks on Tuesday night.

The situation in Mayurbhanj district also improved as water levels in the Budhabalanga fell. Many of the nearly 5,000 people who had taken shelter in relief camps began returning home on Wednesday morning.

However, the situation in Jajpur remained unchanged, with the Brahmani River continuing to flow at high levels. Sixty-two villages remained inundated, prompting the district administration to shut schools and Anganwadi centres for a day.

Low-lying areas of Dasarathpur, Bari and Binjharpur blocks were affected. Dasarathpur has been dealing with flood conditions for nearly 57 days since the first week of July, officials said.

The Baitarani River was flowing close to its danger mark at Akhuapada in Bhadrak, recording 18.20 metres against the danger level of 18.33 metres. Authorities in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar, Chandbali and Tihidi blocks remained alert to the possibility of fresh flooding.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the well-marked low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand lay over western Jharkhand and neighbouring areas at 5.30 am on Wednesday.

The system is likely to move west-northwestwards across southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh over the next 24 hours. The IMD forecast light to moderate rain at most places in Odisha and isolated heavy rainfall on Wednesday.

Tiring in Mayurbhanj recorded the highest rainfall in the state, receiving 42.8 mm till 8.30 am.