Kendrapara, July 19: Kendrapara district in Odisha is reeling under a severe flood crisis as the Brahmani and Kharasrota rivers continue to overflow, inundating vast stretches of land for the fifth consecutive day.

According to sources, the worst-hit region is Aul block, where floodwaters have submerged roads, agricultural fields, and homes, leaving nearly 70,000 residents across 17 panchayats stranded.

The situation has escalated into a humanitarian emergency, with villagers marooned and forced to rely on country boats for movement. Connectivity to several areas has been completely severed, and hundreds of hectares of standing crops have been destroyed, raising concerns over food security and livelihood loss.

Adding to the distress is the emergence of crocodiles in flooded residential zones. Locals have reported sightings of estuarine crocodiles navigating submerged village roads, sparking widespread panic, especially during night hours.

Forest officials have issued advisories urging residents to avoid wading through floodwaters and to report any crocodile sightings immediately.

Meanwhile, relief operations are underway, with the district administration distributing dry food and clean drinking water. Rescue teams from ODRAF, NDRF, and fire services have been deployed to assist affected people.

The India Meteorological Department predicted further rainfall over several districts in Odisha due to a developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which could worsen the flood situation in coastal areas of the State in the coming days.

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