Residents of northern Odisha are on high alert on Tuesday after relentless monsoon rains, fueled by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, pushed three major rivers well above or to the brink of their danger levels.
The Baitarani River is flowing above the danger mark at Anandapur and has crossed it at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district (18.48 metres against a danger level of 18.33 metres), with water levels continuing to rise. Officials from the Water Resources Department warn of a high flood situation by evening, raising the risk of inundation in Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Chandbali.
At the same time, the Jalaka and Salandi rivers are swelling rapidly, placing Baleshwar, Bhadrak, and parts of Jajpur under serious flood threat. Low-lying areas are already waterlogged after extremely heavy rainfall, with Baleshwar recording up to 246 mm in a short span.
The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for several western districts and orange warnings for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj, forecasting continued heavy to extremely heavy showers.
Authorities have responded swiftly. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed, and evacuations are underway in vulnerable villages. Schools in Jajpur district were ordered closed from the afternoon of July 28 as a precaution. Meanwhile, the Mahanadi River remains under close watch, with only limited releases from the Hirakud Dam, reducing the immediate risk of a major flood there.
District administrations are using loudspeakers to warn riverside communities, monitoring embankments, and preparing relief camps with dry food, cooked meals, and drinking water. In some panchayats of Jagatsinghpur, dozens of families have already been shifted to safer locations.
Officials urge residents in flood-prone zones to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow local administration instructions. With the weather system still active, the next 24 hours will be critical for northern Odisha.
Stay tuned for further updates as water levels continue to be monitored closely.
