Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded 17% excess rainfall in July compared to the normal average, with the downpour quickly triggering localized flooding and swelling river basins across the State.
Informing this, Water Resources Department Engineer-in-Chief Dillip Kumar Rout said the heavy showers have particularly impacted the western and coastal regions. The heavy downpour has triggered flood‑like conditions in several districts including Balangir, Kataka, Baleshwar, Boudh, Dhenkanal and Anugola.
Incessant rainfall has triggered the season’s first flood in Sapua River in Kataka district, raising concerns over possible flooding in Athagada and surrounding areas. Floodwater was flowing close to the river bridge, while several low-lying areas of Athagada town witnessed severe waterlogging. Hundreds of acres of farmland in villages including Sathilo, Kuanla, Samasarpur, Raghunathpur, Ichhapur, Jenapada and Khunkakata under Athagarh block have been submerged due to the rising water level. The inundation has raised fears of significant crop losses if the water does not recede soon.
Block Agriculture Officer Priyanath Patra said the actual extent of crop damage would be assessed only after the rainfall stops. He said a detailed report on the losses would be available three days after the rain subsides.
In Balangir, the Sapua river overflowed, inundating villages such as Madhusudanpatan and Kakudia, disrupting daily life. Similarly, in Baleshwar’s Mathani region, water levels have approached danger marks, raising fears of further flooding.
Officials have warned that the Hirakud reservoir is expected to see a further rise in water levels, potentially worsening the situation in nearby regions. Rescue and relief teams have been kept on standby, with advisories urging people to stay away from riverbanks and low‑lying areas.
Flooded roads and submerged bridges left commuters stranded and affected the movement of vehicles in several areas. Sources said nearly two feet of water was flowing over the Tunimunda bridge in Boudh district’s Kantamal area. As a result, the road link between Palsagora and Baulsingha was completely disrupted.
Local residents had demanded the construction of a high-level bridge over the stream multiple times in the past. They had also reportedly cited recurring disruptions that occur during the monsoon season.
In Dhenkanal and Anugola districts, traffic on NH-55 was severely disrupted after stretches of the highway were inundated due to torrential rains.
Vehicular movement, which came to a standstill due to flooding, resumed after the rainwater receded. Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway for nearly eight hours, causing hardship to commuters and truck drivers.
More than 200 mm of rainfall was recorded in parts of Anugola and Dhenkanal districts overnight, inundating several low-lying stretches of NH-55, particularly in Motanga police station area.
Sources said rainwater inundated several stretches of the highway at Chintapokhari, Haldiabahal, Kharakprasad, BRG chowk and Meramandali. On the Anugola side of NH-55, a 200-metre stretch near Badakera chowk was also submerged, where a bus was stranded after attempting to negotiate the waterlogged road.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall across Odisha in the coming days due to monsoon activity. Farmers have been advised to remain cautious during paddy transplantation and agricultural operations, as excess rainfall could impact crops and livelihoods.