The water level of the Jalaka River is rising again due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, triggering fresh concerns among residents of Basta and adjoining areas in Balasore district.
The danger mark of the Jalaka River at Mathani is 6.50 metres, while the water level stood at 6.48 metres as of 6 am. Although the river level has slightly declined compared to the previous day, heavy rainfall in Basta and parts of Mayurbhanj district last night has raised fears that the water level could rise again in the coming hours.
The situation has become more worrying as floodwater from the previous spell of flooding has not completely receded from several low-lying areas. Residents are now facing the threat of another round of flooding before they have fully recovered from the earlier one.
Farmers Face Double Blow
Agricultural land has emerged as one of the biggest concerns in the region. Hundreds of hectares of farmland are still submerged, and the prolonged waterlogging has raised fears of extensive crop damage.
Farmers say they had hoped to grow paddy this year and support their families through the harvest. However, with large stretches of farmland still under water, their hopes are now under threat.
For farmers who borrowed money to cultivate their fields, the situation is particularly difficult. They are worried not only about the rising water level of the Jalaka but also about whether the fields will dry up in time for them to undertake cultivation again this year.
The biggest questions before the farmers are when the floodwater will recede, when the agricultural land will become usable again, and whether the government will provide financial assistance for crop losses.
With the Jalaka River now just below its danger mark, residents are closely monitoring the water level. The situation over the next few hours will be crucial in determining whether the flood threat intensifies.
Low-Pressure Area Likely Over Bay of Bengal
Meanwhile, weather conditions are adding to the concerns. A cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger the formation of a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours, according to the weather forecast.
The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha, with rain likely to continue for around five days. The state may experience intense rainfall for the next two days, increasing the possibility of renewed flooding in vulnerable areas.
The weather department has issued an Orange Alert for six districts — Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Bargarh — forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall.
With the Jalaka River already hovering close to the danger mark and more rain forecast, residents in low-lying areas remain on alert. For farmers in Basta, the immediate concern is not only the rising river but also the survival of crops that have already spent days submerged under floodwater.