324 Villages Inundated As Flood Situation Worsens In Odisha’s Balasore, Subarnarekha Crosses Danger Mark

Balasore: The Subarnarekha river at Rajghat Odisha’s Balasore district continued to flow in severe situation, the Central Water Commission (CWC) informed on Tuesday.

As per CWC’s official data, Subarnarekha river was flowing at a level of 10.37 metres with a rising trend of 0.01 metres above its danger level of 10.36 metres today morning.

Subarnarekha river experienced severe flooding, worsening the situation in the northern parts of Balasore district since Monday night.

Floodwater from the river has inundated nearby villages. Currently, 324 villages of 123 panchayats in Jaleswar, Bhograi, Basta, and Baliapal blocks of Balasore district are affected by the flood, sources said.

In Baliapal block, residents have been alarmed after the sluice gate at Jamkunda caved in. Residents of north Balasore are already dealing with artificial floods due to heavy rainfall.

A Water Resources department team visited the affected villages to assess the condition of the river embankments.

Thousands of hectares of farmland, mainly paddy fields, remained submerged for the two to three days, leaving farmers in distress amid fear of crop loss.

The situation is no better with Jalaka River which was flowing above danger mark in Basta block, affecting 10 panchayats in Basta and 3 panchayats in Balasore Sadar block. Floodwater has entered several villages and thousands of hectares of agricultural land reports stated.

At Mathani in Basta block, the water level has risen to 6.82 meters, well above the danger level of 6.50 meters.

Baitarani river is also in spate due to heavy rain in the upper catchment area. The river is flowing above the danger level mark near Akhuapada.

Meanwhile rain has stopped in the upper catchment area much to the relief of local people and authorities, the sources added.