Bhubaneswar: The Baitarani and Salandi rivers are flowing in full fury, triggering severe flooding in several parts of Bhadrak district and causing widespread hardship for residents.
According to reports, the Baitarani river has crossed the danger mark by a significant margin. At Akhupada, where the danger level stands at 18.33 metres, the water level has risen above 20.43 metres. The Salandi river, which flows through Bhadrak town, is also flowing above the danger level.
In Bhandaripokhari block, floodwaters have inundated 10 panchayats, including Jhuntuna, Balipokhari, Ranjit, Solampur, Malda, Napang, Korigaon, and Bandal Manjuri. The flood has disrupted road connectivity between Bhandaripokhari and Jajpur.
Meanwhile, seven panchayats in Dhamnagar block have also been affected by the rising floodwaters. The district administration has completed all necessary preparations to tackle the flood situation.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and seven teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar, and Tihidi blocks for rescue and relief operations.
In Bhadrak municipality, 20 wards have been impacted by the swelling Salandi river, while more than 10 panchayats are currently under floodwater. Due to continuous heavy rainfall, low-lying areas such as Jayantara, Mahapatra Sahi, and Katikata Taraisahi are badly affected. In Katikata Taraisahi, floodwater is flowing at a height of nearly 6 feet, while water is flowing 2 feet above the main river embankment.
