166 Schools Shut in Bhadrak Amid Floods and Heavy Rain

Bhadrak: With heavy rain and flood conditions continuing across Bhadrak, the district administration has ordered the closure of 166 affected schools across five blocks today, prioritising the safety of students.

Several areas of the district remain affected by incessant rain and flooding, making travel to schools risky for students. Following the Collector’s directive, teaching will remain suspended in affected schools in Dhamnagar, Bhadrak, Chandbali, Tihidi and Basudevpur blocks.

The administration said the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure, and further action will be decided after reviewing the situation.

Meanwhile, the flood situation continues to remain critical in several parts of Odisha. With inflow into the Hirakud reservoir declining, the number of open gates has been reduced. However, around 7.54 lakh cusecs of water is passing through Mundali, increasing the threat to low-lying areas.

In Cuttack district, backwater from the Mahanadi has entered parts of Athagarh and Tigiria, with nearly three feet of water flowing over the Sompada road. The Maa Bada Bandhiani Temple in Sompada has been submerged, while Sukhuakhela village remains waterlogged.

In Balasore, floodwater from the Subarnarekha River has entered Balipal, Bhograi and Jaleswar blocks, cutting off hundreds of villages from the rest of the state.

Flood conditions also remain serious in Dhamnagar and Tihidi in Bhadrak, Dasarathpur in Jajpur and Tikarpada in Angul. Breaches in river embankments have allowed floodwater to inundate several villages.

Although water levels are receding in upstream areas, authorities estimate that it could take another three to four days for floodwater to drain from the low-lying areas.