Flood Situation Improves Across Odisha as River Levels Recede, Says Water Resources Department

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s flood situation showed further improvement on Sunday, with water levels in major rivers continuing to decline, providing much-needed relief to residents of Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Baleshwar districts.

Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief Er. Dillip Kumar Rout said the absence of fresh rainfall over the river catchment areas has significantly eased the situation. He noted that floodwaters are steadily receding and that there is currently no indication of another flood threat.

According to Rout, nearly two-thirds of the previously inundated areas have experienced a noticeable drop in water levels. If dry weather continues, the remaining waterlogged pockets are expected to drain more quickly over the next few days.

Sharing the latest river data, he said the Baitarani River at Akhuapada was flowing at 17.29 metres, well below its danger level of 18.33 metres. At the Anandapur Barrage, the water level was recorded at 34.66 metres against the danger mark of 38.36 metres. Although a few gates of the barrage remain open, only about 1,000 cubic metres of water per second is being released, a discharge considered safe and unlikely to trigger flooding.

The situation has also improved in Bhadrak district, where the Salandi River near Rajghat Bridge has receded to 12.60 feet, comfortably below the danger level of 17 feet. Officials said there is currently no flood concern in the Salandi river basin.

In Baleshwar district, the Jalaka River at Mathani Road Bridge was flowing at 6.10 metres, remaining below the danger mark of 6.50 metres. However, authorities said water may take longer to drain from low-lying areas in Basta and Baleshwar Sadar due to their proximity to the sea. High tides over the last two days have slowed the outflow of accumulated floodwater.

Rout also informed that only one gate of the Rengali Reservoir is open, releasing nearly 2,000 cubic metres of water per second downstream. He clarified that the discharge is within safe limits and is not expected to create any flood-related problems in downstream areas.

With river levels steadily falling and weather conditions remaining favourable, officials said the overall flood situation in Odisha is stabilising. Authorities continue to monitor the rivers closely while relief, rehabilitation, and restoration efforts remain underway in the affected regions.