Floods Persist in Jajpur and Chandbali

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: Floodwaters continue to grip large parts of Jajpur district as rivers Baitarani and its branch river Kani remain swollen, leaving thousands marooned for over 22 days.

According to Dilip Raut, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, “Flood in the Baitarani is gradually receding. It will take three to four days. Rain has occurred in the upper catchment of the Brahmani. We will control it through Rengali Dam.”

He added that despite expectations, floodwaters are not receding proportionately due to fresh rainfall in the upper catchments. In Dasarathpur block, nearly 20 panchayats remain inundated. A breach near Patana village in Tarapada panchayat has worsened the situation, submerging homes and forcing residents to take shelter on embankments, along with their livestock.

Reports of cattle being swept away and venomous snakes appearing in floodwaters have heightened fears. Relief teams from ODRAF and NDRF are rescuing stranded villagers and providing cooked food and dry rations. Schools and Anganwadi centres remain closed due to the crisis.
Chandbali block faces similar distress on the third day of its second flood wave. Several villages remain cut off, with residents dependent on relief supplies. Floodwaters have entered homes and kitchens, making cooking impossible.

Government agencies and voluntary organisations are distributing dry food, drinking water, and cooked meals. Boats are being used to deliver relief materials to isolated villages.

Meanwhile, in Bari block’s Chandanpur panchayat, a breach in the Brahmani river embankment has left around 400 families marooned. Nine wards are affected, with widespread damage to crops and farmland. This marks the third flood in the region this month, devastating paddy and vegetable fields.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, focusing on Baitarani and Brahmani rivers. Relief and rescue operations have been intensified, with emphasis on repairing weak embankments and ensuring timely assistance to flood‑hit families.