Bhubaneswar, 14 August (H.S.): The flood situation in northern Odisha has worsened as rising water levels in several major rivers have affected nearly 45 gram panchayats across four districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said on Friday.

The affected districts include Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj, where rising levels in the Baitarani, Budhabalanga, Jalaka, Salandi and Subarnarekha rivers have triggered flooding in several areas.

According to the SRC, flooding in the Baitarani River has affected parts of Bhadrak and Jajpur districts, with water entering through breaches that had occurred earlier. Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Budhabalanga River have led to floodwater entering parts of Baripada town in Mayurbhanj.

The situation has also prompted the evacuation of around 3,000 people from areas affected by flooding in the Subarnarekha river basin. Relief centres have been opened across the affected panchayats to provide shelter and essential assistance to displaced residents.

The state administration has intensified rescue and relief operations, deploying 10 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in the affected areas.

“Water levels have risen in the Jalaka, Salandi, Baitarani, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha rivers. This has caused flooding in parts of Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. We are expecting a rise in the water level of the Subarnarekha by Friday evening,” SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said.

Senior officers have been deployed in all four affected districts to closely monitor the situation and coordinate rescue, evacuation and relief measures.

The administration has been directed to maintain close surveillance of vulnerable areas and ensure timely evacuation wherever necessary. Authorities are also monitoring river levels and embankment conditions to minimise the impact of the rising floodwaters.

With several rivers continuing to swell, the administration remains on alert and is closely monitoring developments, particularly in low-lying areas and locations already affected by breaches.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda