Revenue and Disaster Management Minister of Odisha, Suresh Pujari, visited the flood-affected areas of Jajpur district today to assess the situation on the ground. The minister reached severely hit zones where a tributary of the Baitarani river had breached its embankment, submerging nearly 30 to 40 villages across several panchayats.

Assurance of Quick Restoration

Pujari assured that restoration of the broken embankment will commence once the water level recedes. “We will undertake the necessary work for the breach at the earliest possible time,” he said. The minister also highlighted that relief has already begun for the displaced families, while the extent of damage will only be clear once the floodwaters fully withdraw.

Jajpur Faces the Worst Flood Impact

At least 46 villages across 14 panchayats of Dasarathpur block in Jajpur have been submerged. A 60-foot breach in the Kani river embankment has inundated villages including Mallikapur, Kasapa, Mahantipatana, Duduraanta, Susua, Nizampur, and Khannagar. In several villages near the rupture point, floodwaters rose to chest height inside homes, forcing families to take shelter on rooftops or in school classrooms.

Thousands Displaced, Relief Operations Underway

The sudden surge left thousands of villagers homeless, with food grains, clothes, and household goods destroyed. Local administration has shifted people to temporary shelters and schools, distributing cooked meals and dry rations to affected families. Though the water level is slowly receding, many households had to abandon belongings to save their lives.

Bhadrak District Also Reeling Under Floods

Meanwhile, Bhadrak district is facing severe flooding once again. Large parts of Dhamnagar block have been submerged, devastating crops, homes, and livestock. Villagers in Hasanabad, Arjunpur, Padhani, and Sohada panchayats are in distress for two days, struggling to survive amid the waterlogging.

Baitarani Floods Wreak Havoc for the Third Time

This marks the third major flood of the Baitarani this year, wreaking havoc across riverbank areas. In Bhandaripokhari’s Kantighai, agricultural fields lie ravaged, and homes have been destroyed. Residents say the recurring floods within a single year have turned life into a cycle of hardship, with little respite in sight.

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