Thousands of people in more than 120 villages in North Odisha were affected by flash floods of Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Jalaka and Baitarani rivers on Wednesday. The rivers have crossed the danger level and are in spate for the past 24 hours.
The flash floods triggered by torrential rains in the catchment areas for the past four days have in fact affected the region twice in the last one month. At least 10 blocks in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts have been affected along with parts of municipality areas of Baripada and Balasore. In July, several thousands of people in these districts were hit by the calamity. Till reports last came in, 20 villages were marooned in Jaleswar, Bhogarai and Basta blocks. While people in marooned villages have been evacuated to safer places, officials were asked to keep tabs on river embankments at vulnerable points.