In the early hours of June 22, a grim discovery added a tragic dimension to the growing flood crisis in Balasore. The body of 25-year-old Maheswar Pila, a resident of Ikidpal village in Baliapal block, was recovered by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF). Maheswar had gone to Jamkunda a day earlier to get medication for his ailing father but was swept away by strong currents while crossing a submerged bridge over the Subarnarekha River. Local villagers alerted authorities, and his body was recovered nearly a kilometer downstream. Police have registered an accidental death case and completed the necessary post-mortem.
This tragic loss underscored the severity of the situation as floodwaters surged through Balasore, cutting off dozens of villages and affecting tens of thousands of lives.
Widespread Flooding Leaves Villages Stranded
Triggered by the sudden release of excess water from the Galudihi barrage in neighboring Jharkhand, a flash flood swept through several blocks of Balasore, including Baliapal, Bhograi, Basta, and Jaleswar. Over 50,000 people across approximately 67 villages were directly affected. Many villages remain marooned, with roads submerged, power outages widespread, and communication lines severely impacted.
Families fled their homes, seeking shelter on higher ground—embankments, cyclone shelters, and even the rooftops of bus stands. Most carried only essential belongings, often without access to clean drinking water, sanitation, or food.
Subarnarekha River Breaches Danger Mark
The Subarnarekha River, usually calm in summer, turned furious due to a surge of upstream water. At Rajghat, it breached the danger mark, rising to 11.9 meters—well above the safety threshold. Though the river has started receding gradually, it remained dangerously high for hours, warranting emergency warnings and evacuation efforts.
In response to the crisis, district officials canceled all staff leave and deployed disaster response teams to provide round-the-clock monitoring and relief.
Government and Rescue Agencies Respond Swiftly
The Balasore district administration swiftly mobilized resources to address the emergency:
- Rescue Teams: Five Fire Service units, three ODRAF teams, and one National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit were deployed to conduct search and rescue operations and to evacuate stranded individuals.
- Boats and Ferries: With roads submerged, boats became the only means to access cut-off villages. Boats ferried food, drinking water, and medical supplies to areas where conventional transport had failed.
- Medical Assistance: ASHA workers from village-level health centers were deployed to distribute ORS, halogen tablets, and basic medical aid. Their efforts were crucial in preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases, especially in overcrowded temporary shelters.
- Relief Materials: Bottled water, cooked meals, dry food kits, and hygiene products were distributed to affected households. Officials ensured water tankers were dispatched where borewells and piped water systems had failed.
- Leadership Oversight: Elected representatives, including the Balasore MP and local MLAs, visited flooded areas, interacted with victims, and urged administrative teams to accelerate aid delivery.
Gaps in Relief Delivery Remain
Despite the efforts of rescue teams and administrators, reports from villages in Bhograi and Basta blocks revealed serious deficiencies. At least twelve villages remained isolated days after the flood, with water levels still waist-high in some areas.
Residents reported a lack of clean drinking water, cooking gas, and even polythene sheets for shelter. Many families resorted to using plastic sheets and makeshift tents to protect themselves from ongoing rain. The elderly, pregnant women, and children are particularly vulnerable, and concerns about their safety are mounting.
In the words of one resident from Talapada village, “We are completely helpless now. Food is scarce, and we haven’t received clean water for two days.”
Agricultural Losses Threaten Livelihoods
The floods did not only affect homes and lives—they also ravaged thousands of hectares of farmland. Paddy fields and vegetable crops across Baliapal, Jaleswar, and Bhograi blocks were completely submerged. Local officials estimate over 200 hectares of cultivated land are waterlogged.
For farmers already struggling with seasonal drought and input costs, this is a devastating blow. The longer the water takes to recede, the worse the damage to crops and soil health. With the kharif season approaching, the destruction of standing crops could cause ripple effects on food supply and income levels.
Root Causes: The Dam Dilemma
While intense local rainfall added to the flooding, the primary trigger appears to be the unannounced release of water from the Chandil Dam in Jharkhand. Local leaders and residents have criticized upstream authorities for not issuing prior warnings, calling the act “criminally negligent.”
District officials have emphasized the need for cross-state coordination on dam operations. The absence of transparent communication from upstream regions continues to be a recurring problem during monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. As a result, downstream districts like Balasore bear the brunt of sudden water surges without the time to prepare.
Challenges in Relief Operations
Several logistical and infrastructural challenges further complicated rescue efforts:
- Submerged tube wells and water pipelines halted regular supply of drinking water, leading to dependency on bottled supplies.
- Unreliable electricity interrupted communication and refrigerated medical supplies.
- Damaged bridges and culverts delayed the delivery of aid to remote locations.
In many cases, villagers had to wade through waist-deep water to reach distribution centers. With mobile towers damaged and power lines down, communication remained unreliable in interior regions.
Relief and Rehabilitation Roadmap
Authorities have laid out a phased response plan to aid recovery:
Immediate Relief (1–5 Days)
- Evacuation of stranded residents
- Continued delivery of food and water
- Medical outreach to prevent disease outbreaks
- Temporary shelter arrangements
Short-Term Rehabilitation (2–3 Weeks)
- Assessment of property and crop loss
- Compensation disbursement
- Restoration of damaged roads and tube wells
- Rebuilding damaged homes and public infrastructure
Long-Term Measures (1–2 Months)
- Embankment strengthening
- Drainage system upgrades
- Establishment of early-warning systems for dam releases
- Training and resources for disaster-prepared community networks
Public Demands and Political Action
People across Balasore have made urgent appeals for swift and transparent relief. Their primary demands include:
- Immediate restoration of clean water access
- Fair compensation for crop loss and house damage
- Permanent shelters for displaced families
- Advanced warning systems for future dam water releases
Political representatives, including Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi and the Basta MLA, have echoed these demands. They’ve called for greater accountability from dam authorities and suggested formal mechanisms for interstate coordination on flood control.
Takeaways and Lessons Learned
This flood crisis underscores the vulnerability of riverbank communities to upstream mismanagement and erratic weather patterns. Going forward, the following measures will be essential:
- Transparent dam release protocols across state boundaries
- Efficient early-warning systems powered by satellite and meteorological data
- Pre-positioned disaster kits and shelters in vulnerable panchayats
- Community awareness drives on flood preparedness and rescue coordination
Conclusion: The Cost of Delay, The Strength of Unity
The Balasore flood of 2025 has exposed systemic cracks in disaster planning, inter-state coordination, and rural infrastructure. Yet, amidst the destruction and sorrow—highlighted most painfully by the loss of young Maheswar Pila—there is also courage, compassion, and cooperation.
From local volunteers paddling through waist-deep water to deliver food, to frontline health workers battling exhaustion to provide medicine, Balasore’s resilience is undeniable. As the district dries and recovers, the larger challenge remains: to move from reactive relief to proactive resilience—ensuring that such a tragedy does not repeat.