Odisha remains on high alert as floodwaters continue to swell the Mahanadi river system, with the season’s biggest flood discharge expected to reach Mundali. Rescue, relief and surveillance have been intensified across the affected districts, while fresh rainfall warnings have raised concerns over the evolving flood situation.
Our correspondent reports that the State machinery has intensified surveillance across downstream districts as the Mahanadi continues to rise due to heavy rainfall in its upper catchment. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari today conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kendujhar districts to review rescue and relief operations. He said, 100 blocks and 14 urban bodies of 20 districts and 7 lakh people have so far been affected in the flood.
Meanwhile, a second wave of flooding has inundated large parts of Basudevpur in Bhadrak district, leaving hundreds of families stranded and causing extensive damage to agricultural land. The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for Bargarh district, warning of very heavy rainfall, while a Yellow Warning remains in force for Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Nabarangpur, where moderate to heavy rainfall is likely. Authorities have urged people living in low-lying areas to remain alert as the flood situation continues to evolve.
