Baleshwar: Odisha's Baleshwar town has been severely affected by incessant rain under the influence of an active well-marked low-pressure system. The town recorded 137 mm of rainfall by 5:30 AM on Thursday, leading to extensive waterlogging in many areas.

Several roads have been submerged, disrupting vehicular movement across the town. Rainwater has also entered houses in many low-lying areas, forcing some residents to leave their houses and take shelter in hotels.

Waterlogging has become a recurring problem in Baleshwar during the monsoon. Residents said roads and homes are flooded almost every year whenever heavy rain hits the town, causing repeated hardship and financial losses.

The prolonged stagnation of dirty water has also raised concerns over public health, with the risk of water-borne diseases increasing in affected areas. Residents have alleged that recurring floods and waterlogging have caused losses worth crores of rupees over the years.

Although discussions on drainage and water discharge take place every monsoon, they said temporary measures have failed to provide a permanent solution. Water is often pumped out or drained temporarily, but the problem returns with heavy rainfall, they added.

With the situation worsening after the latest spell of rain, residents are now demanding a permanent drainage and water discharge system for the town.