For the fifth consecutive day, approximately 100 villages in Odisha’s Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts remain submerged under floodwaters, affecting over 30,000 people. Despite receding water levels in major rivers like Subarnarekha and Baitarani, stagnant floodwater up to four feet deep continues to maroon communities, particularly in Baliapal and Bhograi blocks of Balasore and Dasrathpur block of Jajpur. The crisis, worsened by a 100-foot breach in the Kani River embankment, a tributary of Baitarani, has left homes, crops, and livestock devastated, with residents struggling to access clean water and food.

In Dasrathpur, Jajpur, the sudden flooding caught villagers off guard. Rabindra Samal, a local resident, described returning from a relief camp to find his home in ruins, with household items, stored grains, and livestock fodder destroyed. “I waded through waist-deep water to reach my house, only to find it unlivable. We have no food or means to cook,” he said. Sabita Swain, another resident, highlighted the dire situation: “The government says the flood situation is improving, but our villages are still underwater. Drinking water is contaminated, and we can’t even light our stoves.” The breach in the Kani River embankment near Kasapa and Malikapur gram panchayats has left over 8,000 people stranded, with 5,000 evacuated to school buildings since Saturday.

In Balasore, this marks the sixth flood in the Subarnarekha River since June, devastating Kharif crops across Baliapal, Bhograi, Basta, and Jaleswar blocks. A local sarpanch demanded a special government package, stating, “The floods have wiped out food grains for the entire year. Farmers are left with nothing.” The loss of fodder has also left livestock without feed, raising concerns about animal survival. In Bhadrak’s Dhamnagar block, floodwaters have inundated homes, disrupting normal life and cutting off road access.

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The Odisha government has deployed Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and fire services for rescue and relief operations. Akash Pattanaik, Block Development Officer of Dasrathpur, said, “We’re providing cooked food in 25 relief camps and distributing rice and dry food. Fodder supply is a priority, and repair work on the Kani River embankment begins today.” However, villagers report shortages of clean drinking water and rising health risks from stagnant water. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall through August 29 due to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, raising fears of further flooding.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari visited affected areas, assuring compensation once floodwaters recede. Balasore District Collector confirmed ongoing evacuations, with over 400 people moved to safety earlier this week. The state has set up open kitchens and distributed sanitary napkins to women in relief camps. However, residents like Swain question the effectiveness of relief efforts, citing delays and inadequate supplies. With rivers still volatile and upstream rainfall continuing, officials remain on high alert, particularly in Balasore, where the Subarnarekha River was recently above its 10.36-meter danger mark.

The recurring floods have sparked calls for long-term solutions. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati urged a “zero casualty” approach and suggested permanent flood control measures. Local authorities are monitoring embankments round-the-clock, with sandbags ready to reinforce weak points. As the crisis persists, affected communities face an uncertain future, with damaged homes, lost livelihoods, and growing health concerns.

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