Flood Threat Looms Over Major Rivers, Baitarani Breaches Danger-Mark

Bhubaneswar : Incessant rains triggered by back to back low pressures over Bay of Bengal have resulted in floods in Baitarani River. Deluge situation also looms large in some other major rivers of the State.

In Bhadrak, eight panchayats under Bhandaripokhari block and seven in Dhamnagar block were inundated after floodwater from Baitarani entered the areas. Vehicular movements on many routes in the region have been affected as several roads and bridges have been submerged.

As per reports, Baitarani River is flowing two metre above the danger-level near Akhuapada. While, the cautionary mark in the river is 17.83 metre, the water level in the river is at 19.56 metre.

Road communication between Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar and Jajpur has been snapped as flood water is flowing over Sarata bridge at Malada and a road in Dobala.

Similarly, the situation in neighbouring Balasore is nothing different. Major rivers including Jalaka River have been surging due to continuous downpour in the upper catchment areas.

While the danger mark of the river at Mathani is 5.5 metre, flood water is flowing at 7.05 metre. Flood alert has been sounded for 10 panchayats of Basta block and two of Sadar block, sources said.

Health services in the area likely to cripple after floodwater entered Basta hospital.

Meanwhile, Collector Sudarshan Chakravarthy has reviewed the flood situation in Sadar area. Leave of all government employees in Jaleswar, Bastam Remuna and Baliapal has been cancelled in view of the flood situation.

We are constantly monitoring the situation and all senior officials have been asked to remain alert. Two NDRF and two ODRAF teams have been deployed in the district. While one NDRF and ODRAF team have been stationed at district headquarters, One NDRF team and ODRAF team have been stationed in Basta and Remuna respectively,” Chakravarthy informed.

Similarly, as many as 80 panchayats under five blocks in Jajpur district remain inundated due flood in Baitarani river. Two ODRAF teams and one NDRF team have been deployed in the district. Taking continuous downpour into consideration, the district administration has asked two more ODRAF teams.