Daijiworld Media Network – Balasore

Balasore, Jun 22: A flash flood triggered by sudden release of water from Jharkhand’s Chandil Dam has left more than 50 villages marooned in Odisha's Balasore district, even as one person went missing after being swept away by the gushing waters, officials said on Sunday.

The missing person, a youth from Bishnupur gram panchayat in Baliapal block, was reportedly washed away on Saturday. A rescue operation by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has been launched.

The situation remained grim in four affected blocks – Baliapal, Bhograi, Basta and Jaleswar – as floodwater inundated homes and farmlands. Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi accused the Jharkhand authorities of criminal negligence, alleging that excess water was released from Chandil Dam without prior intimation to Odisha.

Over 50,000 people have been impacted in the district. While the Subarnarekha river’s water level dropped below the danger mark to 9.94 metres at Rajghat by Sunday morning – against a peak of over 11 metres on Saturday – officials said full recovery may take another four to five days.

Floodwaters have submerged village roads, leaving boats as the only mode of communication. Rescue and relief efforts have been intensified with the deployment of Fire Services, ODRAF and NDRF teams. Several villagers have taken shelter on river embankments under makeshift polythene covers.

District authorities confirmed active health response on the ground. “ASHAs under CHCs & PHCs are distributing ORS and Halogen tablets in 11 submerged villages of Bhograi and Dahamunda PHC areas, and 17 villages under Ghantua and Jamkunda PHC areas. Health teams are operational, and essential medicines have been stocked at PHCs, Sub-Centres and ASHA level,” the Balasore Collector posted on X.

Relief operations are ongoing as authorities monitor the situation closely.