Incessant Rain Cripples Life In Odisha's Sambalpur, Leaves Many Areas Flooded

Sambalpur: Life was thrown out of gear in Odisha’s Sambalpur on Wednesday as incessant rain over the past 48 hours left many parts of the city submerged with water.

Heavy downpour has triggered severe waterlogging in many residential areas, with rainwaters gushing into houses and shops, causing widespread damage and disruption.

Sources said several low-lying areas, including Srit Colony, Modipara, JMJ Hospital Road, Bariapali, Budharaja, and Laxmi Talkies, have been severely affected. Roads remained submerged, and daily activities have virtually come to a grinding halt as the city was flooded.

As per official sources, Sambalpur recorded 177.1 mm of rainfall in last 24 hours.

The situation worsened after 12 sluice gates of the Hirakud Dam were opened to manage the rising water levels. Authorities have cautioned that if more than 30 gates are opened, low-lying areas along the riverbanks may experience severe flooding.

Areas such as Chandan Nagar, Mandalia, Kumarapara, Housing Board, and Dasmati Colony are under threat, as clogged drains and blocked natural water outlets have prevented water from flowing into the river, exacerbating the flood situation.

Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Sambalpur district, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds till Thursday.