Baleshwar/Bhubaneswar: As heavy torrential rain continues to trigger severe flooding across northern Odisha districts, Director General (DG) of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi on Friday issued an urgent appeal to people trapped in rising floodwaters to contact emergency responders immediately for rescue and evacuation.
Speaking to the media amid the worsening flood situation in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur districts, DG Sarangi assured the public that rescue units, including Fire Services, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are on high alert with 24/7 control rooms active across affected regions. “If you or anyone in your area is trapped in floodwaters, inform us immediately via phone. Our team will reach you safely. Please do not panic or venture unnecessarily into deep or moving flood currents until aid arrives.”
To ensure swift rescue execution, Fire Services personnel have been deployed alongside specialised units from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), backed by local administration officers and power boats. “Fire Services personnel are stationed in almost every block across the state. In areas like Baleshwar, Remuna, Nilagiri, Basta, and Jaleswar, our teams can reach affected spots within 5 to 10 minutes of receiving a call,” he informed.
Rescue teams are prioritising vulnerable groups, relocating vulnerable families to flood shelters equipped with basic provisions. “Special priority is being given to pregnant women, elderly citizens, sick individuals needing medical attention, and children to ensure they are safely relocated to relief shelters,” DG Sarangi reaffirmed, adding that “The state government is monitoring the situation around the clock with a clear mandate of zero casualties and ensuring the safety of life and property.”
The flood threat has escalated dramatically following continuous rainfall in upper catchment areas triggered by a low-pressure system that intensified into a depression, causing major rivers including the Jalaka, Subarnarekha, Baitarani, Budhabalanga, and Brahmani to swell rapidly. “The condition of the Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha rivers is particularly concerning,” said DG Sarangi.
The Jalaka river at the Mathani gauge station in Baleshwar’s Basta block surged well above its danger mark of 6.5 metres, reaching 7.84 metres early on Friday. Over 90 villages across 17 panchayats in Basta block, including Dudhahansa, Baharda, Natakota, Brahmandha, Mathani, and Barungadia, face immediate inundation threats. Floodwaters have also entered residential areas in Remuna, Bahanaga, and Nilagiri, while the Subarnarekha river hovered near its danger level of around 8.13 metres, threatening low-lying pockets in Baliapal, Jaleswar, and Basta blocks.
Floodwaters from the swelling Jalaka also entered the Basta police station premises, with around three feet of water inundating the compound. The Basta SDPO office and electricity office have similarly been affected, with more than three feet of water accumulating and hampering routine operations for personnel.
