4 Balasore Blocks on Watch as Subarnarekha Swells

Administration evacuates 960 people from 34 villages on Sunday

- SUKANTA KUMAR SAHU @Balasore

The Subarnarekha river continued to swell, triggering panic among residents in low-lying villages of Bhograi, Baliapal, Basta, and Jaleswar blocks, including Jaleswar NAC, even as the administration mounted rescue and relief operations.

According to official reports, the administration evacuated 960 people from across 34 villages in the four blocks on Sunday. Authorities said more people will be evacuated if the situation worsens.

Balasore collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas personally monitored the flood response in Bhograi. As part of the emergency measures, 15 ODRAF sub-teams, 26 Fire services teams, and 25 SRC boats have been deployed across the district. Free kitchens have also been opened in parts of Basta block to serve those displaced.

The water level in Subarnarekha began rising on Sunday morning, following the release of excess rainwater from neighboring Jharkhand and parts of Mayurbhanj district. The depression-induced rains brought heavy rainfall to Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Jharkhand, worsening the situation. However, no fresh rainfall was reported in Balasore or Mayurbhanj districts in the past 24 hours.

Authorities in Jharkhand opened several gates of the Galudihi barrage, which further aggravated the situation. On Sunday, the Subarnarekha river was flowing at 11.50 meters, well above its danger level of 10.36 meters, causing severe flooding across the four affected blocks.