Bhubaneswar: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has brought normal life to a standstill in Sambalpur. The first major spell of rain this year has led to severe waterlogging across residential areas, with floodwaters entering homes and shops, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Several low-lying localities in the town — including Srit Colony, Modipara, JMJ Hospital Road, Bariapali, Budharaja, and Laxmi Talkies — have been severely affected. Roads are submerged, and daily activities have been thrown into disarray.
The situation worsened after 12 sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam were opened to manage the rising water levels. Authorities have cautioned that if more than 30 gates are opened, low-lying areas along the riverbanks may experience severe flooding.
Areas such as Chandan Nagar, Mandalia, Kumarapara, Housing Board, and Dasmati Colony are under threat, as clogged drains and blocked natural water outlets have prevented water from flowing into the river, exacerbating the flood situation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the Sambalpur district, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h. The warning remains in effect until September 25.
