Bhograi, June 26: The Subarnarekha River is posing an increasing threat to villages in Odisha's Bhograi block as recurring floods and severe riverbank erosion continue to weaken embankments and inch closer to human settlements. With the onset of the monsoon, fear has gripped residents living along the river, who warn that unless urgent protective measures are taken, this year's floods could prove devastating.
Flowing along the Odisha-West Bengal border through Jaleswar and Bhograi before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, the Subarnarekha has witnessed repeated flooding over the years. Strong tidal currents and seasonal floods have caused large breaches in river embankments, while unchecked erosion has steadily consumed riverbanks, threatening to engulf nearby villages.
Although the government had initiated stone revetment and embankment strengthening projects, locals allege that many works remain incomplete, leaving vulnerable stretches exposed. Residents of Manunagar village have demanded that the pending projects be resumed immediately before the monsoon intensifies.
The situation is equally alarming in Jaleswar and Baliapal blocks, where more than 100 villages remain vulnerable to flooding. Locals say the region was inundated six times during last year's floods, leaving behind extensive damage.
Residents have also blamed large-scale sand mining along the riverbanks for weakening the embankments. They further alleged that the delayed construction of the Pantei bridge in Bhograi has altered the river's natural flow. The project, originally scheduled for completion within two years, remains unfinished even after five years. Temporary sand embankments created for the bridge construction have reportedly diverted the river's current toward nearby villages, accelerating erosion.
Bhograi, considered one of Balasore district's most disaster-prone regions, frequently faces cyclones and floods. Villagers allege that despite repeated appeals to local legislators, Members of Parliament, and government officials following last year's floods, little has been done to address the long-standing issues. They claim that damaged stone spurs and breached embankments have remained unrepaired for nearly ten months, forcing residents to live under constant fear.
Warning that another major flood could cause widespread devastation, residents have urged the government to expedite embankment repairs, complete the pending bridge project, and implement permanent flood-control measures.
Responding to the concerns, Balasore District Collector Surya Banshi Mayur Vikas said the administration has instructed the Irrigation Department to immediately place sandbags at vulnerable locations and undertake emergency protective works wherever required.
As the monsoon gathers momentum, all eyes are now on the government's preparedness to safeguard hundreds of flood-prone villages along the Subarnarekha River from another season of destruction.
