Continuous rainfall has led to a flood situation in the Subarnarekha river, with inflows of 6,500 cumecs from Galudihi on Wednesday night pushing water levels above the danger mark.
According to Chief Engineer Dilip Kumar Rout, the flood peak is expected to hit by midnight, impacting Jaleswar, Baliapal, Bhograi, and Basta blocks. The water level at Rajghat has already crossed 10.40 metres, raising fears of a major flood in northern Baleshwar.
Officials said the situation will take 3–4 days to stabilise, with over 2.18 lakh people affected across seven blocks. At least 123 villages are fully submerged, while road connectivity has collapsed in several areas due to 2–3 feet of water flowing over rural roads.
The administration has shifted 79,842 people to safer locations, opened 75 free kitchens serving cooked food to over 31,000 people, and distributed 1,547 quintals of flattened rice and 159 quintals of jaggery in relief camps.
To tackle the crisis, four NDRF teams, four ODRAF units, 13 fire service squads, and 12 medical teams have been deployed. Boats are on standby for evacuation, and vulnerable river embankments are under close watch.
Farmers remain anxious as hectares of paddy and vegetable crops lie submerged, while residents in low‑lying villages brace for further inundation.
Authorities have urged people to remain vigilant, cooperate with rescue teams, and follow official advisories as the Subarnarekha continues to swell.
