Keonjhar/Bhubaneswar: Orissa government has rushed ODRAF personnel and despatched dry food to two northern districts in view of a possible flood-like situation due to ising water level in some rivers.
“One Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team each has been rushed to Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts, special relief commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.
“We are fully prepared to deal with a possible flood-like situation in the northern region of the state,” the SRC said.
The threat of a flood-like situation looms large with the water level of Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Budhabalang rising steadily following heavy rainfall in most parts of the state in the last couple of days.
Sethi pointed out that the water level of Baitarani river at Akhuapada was 18.06 metres at 3pm against the danger level mark of 17.83 metre.
“Since the river embankments have been strengthened, our engineers in water resources department have assured us that there is no fear of flood even as the water level of Baitarani touched 18.06 metres at Akhuapada,” Sethi said.
However, not wanting to take any risk, the SRC said the district administrations have mobilised the requisite men and material in flood-prone areas.
Certain blocks like Binjharpur, Bari and Dasrathpur of Jajpur have been put on high alert as the river Baitarani could cause flood in those areas, Sethi said.
School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra held discussion with the Keonjhar district administration.
At least two blocks Anandapur and Hatadihi of Keonjhar could also witness flood, sources in the water resources department said.
While the danger level mark of Subarnarekha is 49.15 metres at Jamsholaghat, the river is flowing at 49.50 metres there at 3 pm there.
The Budhabalang is rising steadily as per the water level recorded at Rajghat at 3 pm, though it is still below the danger level mark.
Orissa government has already sounded an alert on possible flood in some rivers of six districts in view of the IMD forecast of extremely heavy rainfall in northern region of the state.
The districts are Keonjhar, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh.
The district collectors have been asked to remain fully prepared to face any eventuality.
“Please ensure that field officials are in their respective positions,” the communication from the special relief commissioner’s office to the collectors said.
The rain-battered state is likely to be further hit by heavy to extremely heavy showers coupled with gusty surface winds by tomorrow due to a well marked low pressure in the region, the forecast said.
Meanwhile river Baitarani was in full spate flowing above the warning level and just one metre below the danger level due to incessant downpour across the district in the last 24 hours in Anandapur.
The river crossed its warning level Monday morning when it reached the 37.54-metre mark while the warning mark is at 37.45 metre.
The river flows through Banspal, Joda, Champua, Patna, Saharpara and Anandapur areas. The fear of flash floods in Anandapur area was reportedly high because of torrential rains in the last 24 hours.
The district recorded a total of 788.2 mm rainfall within the last 24 hours while the highest rainfall of 122.1 mm was recorded at Champua, followed by Joda (118.2 mm) and Jhumpura (103.2 mm). Similarly, Bansapal, Patna and Saharpara received a rainfall of 64.4mm, 46.6mm and 34.2mm respectively.
On the other hand, river Kusei, one of Baitarani’s tributaries, reached a level of 35.50 metre while its danger level mark is at 39.70 metre in Anandapur. PTI
