Balasore: Even as the water level in the Subarnarekha river began to recede, the suffering of people in low-lying regions of Odisha's Balasore district continues to grow.

While the river has dipped below the danger level at Rajghat, it was still flowing at a cautious level, measuring 9.55 metres as of 8 PM yesterday. 

The worst-hit areas are in four blocks of northern Balasore, particularly in Bhogarai and Baliapal, where the flood has caused significant damage. Over 50 villages in 10 panchayats of Baliapal block and more than 40 villages in 8 panchayats of Bhogarai block have been affected.

While floodwaters are gradually receding, the plight of the villagers is worsening. Many areas are still submerged, disrupting road connectivity and isolating entire villages from the outside world. Villages like Kudamanasingh, Athabatia, Rautarapur, Talabaliapal, Shunghamuhan, Bishnupur, Ikadapal, Choudhurikud, Kuhlachhada, Bada Talapada, and Paljamkunda remain cut off.

For the past two days, several families have been struggling without food as cooking has become impossible. Drinking water scarcity is acute, with people being forced to consume contaminated water as tube wells are submerged. Though the administration has deployed water tankers, many villagers complain they have not received any supply.

There are fears of waterborne diseases spreading in the aftermath of the flood. Residents have demanded urgent chlorination and sanitation measures for all villages and drinking water sources. Livestock are also facing severe hardships, unable to find food or shelter, and are suffering due to the lack of fodder supplies.

Thousands of acres of standing paddy crops have been submerged across the affected blocks, with fears of complete crop loss looming large.

Balasore Sub-Collector Dr. Madhusmita Samantaray and Tahasildar Jyotsnarani Nayak have visited various flood-hit areas of Baliapal to assess the situation. According to the administration, 95 quintals of flattened rice (chuda), 10 quintals of jaggery, and drinking water bottles have been distributed to over 18,000 people in six affected panchayats of the Baliapal block.