Bhadrak: The first flood of the season in the Salandi River has entered Bhadrak district, inundating vast stretches of agricultural land and causing extensive damage to crops in several blocks. The flooding was triggered after gates of the Hadagarh Dam were opened following heavy rainfall in the river's upper catchment.

The rising water level has affected large areas along the river, particularly in Tihidi block, where floodwaters have entered hundreds of acres of farmland. The strong current also breached nearly 60 feet of the river embankment at Bilana-Lanja.

Farmers have suffered significant losses as paddy nurseries prepared for transplantation remain submerged. Water continues to flow across cultivated fields, making agricultural operations impossible until the flood recedes. Delays in farming activities have increased concern among cultivators, who fear further setbacks to the kharif season.

Vegetable cultivation has also been severely affected in Nilana, Lanja, Barua and nearby villages, where standing crops have been destroyed by the floodwater.

The impact of the flooding is not limited to Tihidi block. In Bhadrak block, riverbank agricultural land and vegetable fields have also gone underwater. Villages including Mangalpur, Anijo, Biridi, Edadei, Kandaba, Charigaon, Chakarapadhi, Kaupur, Chhadia, Jalanga, Bhadrakali Sahi, Arnapal and Gujidarada in the Agarpada area have reported widespread damage to vegetable crops.

Similarly, in Chandbali block, floodwater from the Salandi River has submerged agricultural land along the riverbank up to Aradi.