Bhubaneswar: Floodwaters inundated several parts of Odisha’s Baleshwar district in Odisha as the Subarnarekha river continued to flow well above the danger mark at Rajghat, reaching 11.79 metres against the threshold of 10.36 metres early on Thursday.
The rising levels, driven by heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of neighbouring Jharkhand and the release of substantial volumes of water from the Galudih barrage, have triggered widespread concerns in low-lying areas, with floodwaters entering multiple villages and severely disrupting normal life across the affected blocks.
The continuous inflow has left vast stretches of Bhograi, Baliapal and Jaleswar blocks submerged, isolating residents and cutting off vehicular movement. Floodwater was flowing over State Highway 57, while around two feet of water accumulated on the main road connecting Jaleswar and Chandaneswar, making travel extremely difficult.
Official reports indicated that 28 panchayats in Bhograi and 20 in Baliapal were surrounded by floodwater, with villages such as Kusuda, Gabagaon and Manunagar completely cut off from the outside world. In Bhograi alone, more than 130 villages under around 20 panchayats were disconnected, affecting an estimated 45,000 people. Key rural hubs including Kumbhirgadi, Aruhabrutti and localities such as Khadiabadia, Gaba, Kharid Pipala, Chirkuda and Nachinda reported significant waterlogging, with floodwaters entering homes and public infrastructure.
Ground reports from Khadiabadia village highlighted the sudden ordeal faced by families. “Water entered our homes suddenly during the night. We have been stuck inside without proper shelter or food for days, surviving on basic arrangements made on rooftops,” shared a local resident.
Hundreds of hectares of agricultural land remain under several feet of standing water, raising fears of total crop decay and long-term economic losses for farmers.
Locals expressed growing anxiety, recalling the severe flood events of 2007 and 2008 as water levels continued to swell around residential areas. Many urged the administration to deploy boats for evacuation, ensure prompt distribution of dry rations and cooked food, and expedite drainage efforts, noting that aid in some pockets remained insufficient compared to the scale of the damage. Around 15,000 residents were reported to be in immediate need of cooked food and relief assistance.
The surge forms part of a broader second spell of flooding that has impacted six districts in Odisha, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar, affecting over 11 lakh people and prompting the evacuation of more than four lakh residents to safer locations. Baleshwar has been put on high alert with rescue and relief teams deployed to the worst-hit panchayats.
Officials expect water levels to remain elevated for some time, though the peak flow is anticipated to ease eventually, with administrative efforts focused on mitigating the impact in the most vulnerable riverside and coastal villages.