A trailer truck was swept away by raging floodwaters while crossing a bridge over the Safei River near Jhantalbud village in Sundargarh district on Tuesday morning.
The incident, captured on a mobile phone, shows the vehicle being engulfed by the powerful current as heavy rainfall continues to lash the region.
The driver, Sujit Aind, remains missing as fire services personnel intensify search operations. His helper, Abinash Barala, was rescued by local villagers. The river had swollen due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which has caused widespread flooding across Odisha.
More than 100 villages in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts have been marooned, with over 3,500 residents evacuated from low-lying areas. The Subarnarekha River breached its danger mark, submerging homes and farmland, while swirling waters entered residential zones in Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari blocks.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and avoid crossing flooded bridges or roads. Relief efforts are underway, but the situation remains precarious as rainfall is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.
