Bhubaneswar: The Subarnarekha River is in spate again, throwing normal life out of gear in Baleshwar district with floodwaters flowing above the danger level and inundating vast low-lying areas.
According to official data, the danger level at Rajghat is 10.36 metres. However, the water level was recorded at 11.79 metres at 6 am onThursday, nearly 1.43 metres above the danger mark. The floodwaters have submerged 20 panchayats in Bhograi block disconnecting more than 130 villages from the rest of the district.
Officials estimate that around 45,000 people across these villages have been affected by the floods. In several villages, floodwaters have breached embankments and are now flowing over roads and into residential areas. The sudden surge has left residents grappling with severe hardship, with access to essential services disrupted. The district administration has been put on high alert. Rescue and relief teams have been deployed in the worst-hit panchayats of Bhograi.
The district administration said the situation is being monitored round the clock. Residents of vulnerable, low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert and shift to safer places if the water level rises further.
The sharp rise in the Subarnarekha has been attributed to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas over the last few days, which has pushed a large volume of water downstream.
Officials fear that if the rainfall continues in Jharkhand and upstream areas, more areas in Baliapal and Bhograi blocks could come under the impact of the floods in the coming day.
