Flood Alert in Odisha: Baitarani River Swells Above Caution Mark at Bhadrak; Heavy Rains Raise Fresh Concerns
Several other rivers, including the Brahmani at Panposh, the IB in Sundargarh, and the Subarnarekha, are also witnessing a steady rise, though all remain below their respective danger levels, as per the Central Water Commission’s latest bulletin.
Bhubaneswar: The Baitarani River has once again come under close watch after breaching its caution level of 17.83 metres at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district, rising to 18.03 metres by Monday morning. Although the danger mark is pegged at 18.33 metres, officials confirmed that the water level has begun to recede gradually, offering temporary relief to riverside communities.
However, with continuous heavy rainfall lashing the river’s catchment areas and forecasts predicting further downpours, concerns over possible flooding remain high — particularly if authorities at Anandapur and the Baitarani Barrage are compelled to open sluice gates to manage upstream inflows.
The swelling Baitarani follows sustained moderate to heavy rainfall across Odisha, influenced by a low-pressure area persisting over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha.
According to updates from the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), districts including Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and several parts of western Odisha have recorded significant cumulative rainfall over the past 48 hours.
Rengali block in Sambalpur district reported the highest 24-hour rainfall at 182.4 mm. In total, five blocks recorded rainfall exceeding 100 mm, while another 20 blocks received over 50 mm. The state’s average rainfall on July 7 stood at 17.6 mm, pushing the cumulative rainfall for the month to 126.9 mm so far.
Several other rivers, including the Brahmani at Panposh, the IB in Sundargarh, and the Subarnarekha, are also witnessing a steady rise, though all remain below their respective danger levels, as per the Central Water Commission’s latest bulletin.
In Keonjhar district, rainfall-induced inundation has impacted four blocks — Harichandanpur, Telkoi, Banspal, and Jhumpura — affecting 16 villages and 187 residents. Preliminary reports indicate that 31 houses have sustained damage. Authorities have relocated around 100 people to relief camps, where free kitchens and essential services have been activated.
The district administration has distributed polythene sheets and other emergency materials in the affected areas. Simultaneously, damage assessment and precautionary evacuations from vulnerable localities are underway as officials closely monitor the evolving situation.
