Odisha warns of fresh flooding in Balasore as Subarnarekha rises
The Odisha government has issued flood warnings for Balasore district as the Subarnarekha River rises due to heavy rainfall in Jharkhand. Thousands of residents across multiple blocks are affected, with authorities providing emergency food supplies to marooned villages.
Why it matters
Frequent flooding in the region highlights the ongoing challenges of disaster management and climate-induced weather volatility.
The Odisha government on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) warned of another round of flooding in Balasore district as the Subarnarekha River, swollen by heavy rains in neighbouring Jharkhand, was in spate.
Due to heavy rain in Jharkhand, floodwater was entering the Subarnarekha River through 13 gates, which were opened at the Gauludih barrage. Against a danger level of 10.36 metres in Subarnarekha at Rajghat in Jaleswar, water was flowing above 11.63 metres. As per the Water Resource Department, the water level in Subarnarekha could rise above 11.80 metres by the night of Wednesday (September 2).
Flood water has already entered 65 villages in Bhogarai block of Balasore district, 60 of Baliapala and 12 villages of Jaleswar block.
“This is the third flood in Balasore. We have asked field level officials and panchayati raj institution representatives to provide dry food,” said Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas, Balasore district collector.
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