Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: The flood situation in Odisha’s Balasore district continues to be critical as the Subarnarekha River remains above the danger level, leaving many villages submerged and marooned. Although the region has not experienced additional rainfall, the situation remains dire due to the release of excess water from the Galudih barrage in Jharkhand, contributing to the ongoing flooding.
For the past three days, the Subarnarekha River has been flowing above the danger level following depression-induced heavy rainfall. However, water levels are showing signs of a gradual decline. As of now, the water level at Rajghat is recorded at 10.58 metres, just above the danger mark of 10.36 metres.
Chandrasekhar Padhi, chief engineer of the Water Resources Department, expressed cautious optimism about the situation. “Drainage of water from the flood-affected villages has increased. We hope water will recede from the villages in the next 24 hours,” he said.
The Jalaka River, which was also flowing dangerously close to the danger mark, is reportedly seeing a decrease in its water levels, further easing concerns.
In response to the crisis, the Balasore district administration has evacuated 21,076 people from flood-affected areas to safer locations. Those displaced by the flood have been provided with shelter and relief at 51 relief centres spread across the district. Boats remain the only mode of communication for many marooned villages, which have been cut off for the last three days.
According to an official report from the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office, the floods have impacted around 35,654 people across 141 villages in five blocks: Baliapal, Basta, Bhograi, Jaleswar, and Balasore Sadar. To manage the rescue and relief operations, 21 rescue teams, including six from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), one from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 14 teams from fire services, have been deployed across these blocks.
