The sudden release of water from Jharkhand’s Chandil Dam has triggered catastrophic flooding along the Subarnarekha River, submerging large swathes of the Baliapal block in Balasore district. Low-lying villages have been inundated since Friday night, leaving roads underwater, isolating communities, and devastating livelihoods. One person has gone missing, swept away by floodwaters, while vegetable crops—critical to the local economy—have been completely destroyed.
The flooding caught residents off guard as there were no local signs of heavy rainfall or impending disaster. The deluge, caused by excessive rain in the upper reaches of Jharkhand, has turned villages like Bishnupur, Rasalpur, Nayabali, Ikadapal, and Kuhla into waterlogged islands. Roads are submerged under 4-5 feet of water, severing connections to the outside world.
In a tragic incident, a man from Kuhla village, identified as the son of Naba Pila, was swept away by floodwaters near Kuhla Chada while returning home from Jamkunda market. Despite search efforts by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), he remains missing as of Saturday evening.
The floods have obliterated vegetable crops such as brinjal, okra, cauliflower, and greens, which were in peak harvest season. With prices already low, farmers now face total losses, and experts predict a sharp spike in vegetable prices post-flood. “The Subarnarekha is nothing but a river of sorrow for us,” lamented a local resident, echoing the despair of many in Baliapal.
The administration’s response has drawn heavy criticism. Despite warnings of water release from Jharkhand, authorities were unprepared. Of the 10 motorboats available at Jamkunda, only one was operational due to a lack of trained staff. Essential relief, including dry or cooked food, has yet to reach many affected villagers.
Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, MLA Subasini Jena, and other leaders visited the affected areas, holding discussions with officials to coordinate relief efforts. Additional District Magistrate Sudhakar Nayak and newly appointed Baliapal Tehsildar Jyotsnarani Nayak are monitoring the situation, but locals allege inadequate support. As water levels recede at Rajghat, floodwaters continue to rise in riverside villages, exacerbating the crisis.
The floods have exposed Baliapal’s vulnerability to the Subarnarekha’s whims and raised questions about disaster preparedness.
With lives and livelihoods at stake, residents demand urgent action to mitigate future risks and provide immediate relief.
