Bhubaneswar, Aug 14: Odisha is witnessing a flood-like situation in several areas amid incessant rainfall and swelling rivers, with four districts emerging as vulnerable, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said on Friday.

Addressing the media on the state’s flood preparedness, Patil said 45 panchayats have so far been affected, while relief and evacuation measures are underway in vulnerable areas. Authorities are anticipating a medium-level flood situation in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts.

The SRC said water levels in the Jalaka, Salandi, Baitarani, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha rivers are likely to rise further. The Budhabalanga has already crossed the danger mark, while a flood situation has also emerged in the Subarnarekha, with Balasore expected to bear the impact.

In Balasore, 15 panchayats under Balasore Sadar and Remuna blocks have been affected. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and are stationed in the affected areas.

Patil said 10 ODRAF teams and seven NDRF teams have been deployed, while four additional teams remain on standby. Around 3,000 people were shifted to safer locations on Thursday, with evacuation continuing.

Eight response teams have been deployed in Balasore, while two ODRAF teams and one NDRF team are positioned in Jajpur. Two teams are deployed in Bhadrak and one in Keonjhar.

The SRC attributed the rising river levels partly to heavy rainfall in Jharkhand, which has increased inflows into Odisha’s rivers. Relief centres have been opened in vulnerable locations.

Collectors of the affected districts have been placed on high alert, Patil said, assuring that the administration is fully prepared to manage a medium-level flood situation.

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