Relentless rainfall in the upper catchment areas has triggered severe flooding in the Subarnarekha, Baitarani, and Jalaka rivers, submerging vast areas of northern Odisha, particularly in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts.
Although rainfall has subsided over the past two days, the rising water levels continue to wreak havoc, leaving thousands stranded and causing significant damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure.
The Subarnarekha river has severely impacted four blocks in Balasore—Jaleswar, Bhograi, Basta, and Baliapal—with floodwaters inundating villages and farmlands. Similarly, the Baitarani River’s rising levels have submerged areas in Bhadrak’s Dhamnagar and Tihidi blocks, as well as Jajpur’s Dasarathpur block. The Jalaka river, too, has breached danger levels, affecting Chandbali in Bhadrak and parts of Jajpur. While water levels in the Baitarani at Akhuapada have dropped below the danger mark of 38.36 meters, indicating slight improvement, authorities estimate it may take another 48 hours for floodwaters to fully recede from low-lying areas.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the situation is under control, with relief operations in full swing. “People in relief centres are being provided cooked food, while those staying at home are receiving dry rations,” he said. District collectors have been directed to assess damages to crops, homes, and infrastructure as soon as the waters recede. Compensation will be disbursed within 24 hours of receiving damage reports, Pujari assured.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, depending on the weather conditions. Relief centres across Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh are currently sheltering affected residents. In Sundargarh’s Koida block, 50 families in Gopisahi village were cut off for three days but have now been reached with aid.
At Rajghat in Balasore, the Subarnarekha’s water level, which peaked at 10.55 meters, has dropped to 9.80 meters, below the danger mark of 10.36 meters. The Jalaka river remains near the warning level, while the Baitarani continues to stabilise. Meanwhile, the Hirakud Dam is managing inflows of 3.17 lakh cusecs and releasing 3.45 lakh cusecs through 20 gates, with its water level at 615.25 feet. The Rengali Dam, with a level of 121.91 meters, is releasing water into the Brahmani River through three gates.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in 15 districts, raising concerns about further flooding. Two ODRAF teams, 13 fire service teams, and supplies of dry food and medicines are on standby to tackle the crisis. Schools in four panchayats of Dhamnagar have been closed for two days to ensure safety.
