A second flood wave has struck the Brahmani River following the opening of gates at Rengali Dam, inundating vast stretches of Kendrapara district.
Low‑lying areas in Pattamundai, Aali, and Kendrapada blocks are now under water, leaving thousands of residents surrounded by floodwaters.
According to Chief Engineer Dillip Rout of the Water Resources Department, the release of excess water from Rengali reservoir caused a sharp rise in Brahmani’s water level, triggering fresh flooding downstream.
Several villages in the flooded region, including Ghaghara, Alapua, Baluria, Dandisahi, and Penthapal, are completely submerged. Floodwaters have also entered Taradipal, Andara, and Kulasahi, cutting off road connectivity and forcing residents to move to higher ground.
Locals report severe hardship as food, drinking water, and medicines run short. Power supply has been disrupted, plunging villages into darkness. “Water is rising fast, and people are terrified,” said a resident of Pattamundai.
District authorities are monitoring the situation closely. Relief and rescue operations are underway, with teams providing food, water, and medical aid to affected areas. Officials have warned that the river level may rise further in the coming hours, urging residents in vulnerable zones to remain alert and relocate to safer places if necessary.
