Tihidi: A 60-ft-wide breach in Nalia river, a tributary of the Salandi, has inundated Talagopabandha panchayat in Bhadrak district, leaving more than 6,000 people affected.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited the breach site late Tuesday night and reviewed the situation.
He remained there until late at night and advised Salandi Irrigation Department officials to take immediate steps to control the flow of water.
Superintending Engineer Hitesh Kumar Sahu, Sub-Divisional Officer Pradip Kumar Behera and Junior Engineer Padmapriya Samal attempted to plug the breach using sandbags, but the effort failed as the strong current swept the bags away.
Officials said repair work would resume once the water flow subsides.
The flood has affected several villages, including Talagop, Hatanagar, Nischanta, Maa Gajapur, Talagopabandha, Nathapada, Narsinghpur, Mankadakola, Miripur, Paikasahi and Khatuasahi.
Around 700 people from low-lying areas have been evacuated to Aishanyachandi High School, where cooked food is being provided.