Jajpur: Dasarathpur block in Odisha's Jajpur district has been hit by yet another flood, the fifth in just 50 days, leaving hundreds of families struggling to cope with the recurring crisis.

Fresh floodwater from the Baitarani river entered the block, while several areas were still reeling from the previous flood. The situation has worsened after breaches developed at multiple points along the Kani river and the Baitarani embankment.

Floodwater is reportedly entering villages through an open breach near Dovabil Patana under Tarpada panchayat along the Kani river. Another breach at Kantapada, which occurred during the first flood, is also allowing water to flow into nearby areas.

A nearly 40-foot breach has also developed at another location of the Baitarani embankment near Jayantara Mahapatra Sahi. During the fifth flood, water reportedly entered Mahapatra Sahi through another breach measuring around 100 feet.

Several panchayats, including Kasapa, Tarpada, Malikapur and Chachina, have already been inundated. In some villages, floodwater has reached around three feet.

The repeated floods have left residents in a desperate situation. The first flood hit Dasarathpur on July 6, when a breach occurred at Kantapada on the Kani river. The second flood came on July 28, when two breaches developed at Dovabil Patana and another breach occurred along the Baitarani embankment near Jayantara Mahapatra Sahi.

The third flood struck on August 8, damaging some of the repaired breaches. The fourth flood arrived on August 14, followed by the fifth on August 23.

Residents said hundreds of families have been unable to return home for nearly 25 days because of the repeated flooding. Many are staying on rooftops, while others have taken shelter on the Baitarani embankment by putting up temporary tarpaulin shelters.

The embankment has effectively turned into a temporary settlement, with displaced families keeping cattle, goats and household belongings there.

Residents, particularly women from Dovabil and Tarpada, said they had only recently started cleaning their homes and removing mud and garbage left behind by the previous flood. They were preparing to return home when the fresh floodwater entered again, raising fears of further damage and loss.

With the fifth flood now hitting the area before the previous waters have fully receded, residents are facing severe hardship.