Bhandaripokhari: With influx of floodwaters, Baitarani crossed the danger mark at Akhuapada anicut in this block of Bhadrak district Saturday morning.
The river flowed at 18.03 metre against the danger mark at 17.08 metre. Later, the water level slightly receded. Thousands of acres of farmland were flooded while the administration has kept a close watch on the unfolding situation. An ODRAF team reached Bhandaripokhari Friday night.
Collector Gyana Ranjan Das, executive engineer of the water resources department Dhaneswar Samal, BDO Banamali Tarai, tehsildar Pranay Kumar Jena and other officials of the block administration took stock of the situation at the anicut.
Though water level in the river has slightly receded, heavy rains that lashed the upper reaches in the last 24 hours are likely to trigger floods.
Floodwaters from Baitarani have flooded thousands of acres of farmland in Maninathpur, Malda, Jalhari, Rhania, Kurigaon, Sathigaon, Chiroli and Tikhilia. The floodwaters entered the farmlands through the Kantighai escape.
Meanwhile, over a hundred trees were uprooted in Sugo under Basudevpur block due to the cyclonic storm and heavy rains. The gale has blown away roofs of 10 houses. Electricity supply was disrupted in the area, it was learnt.
16 villages marooned
Badasahi: Owing to floods in Gangahar and Budhabalanga rivers, 16 villages under Badasahi block in Mayurbhanj were marooned. Communication on the Badasah-Kaumara road and Badasahi-Udala road was disrupted when floodwaters flowed at Khadikapada and Mankadakenda. The Bitanu bridge was inundated, affecting communication between Baisinga and Udala. The administration distributed dry food among the flood-affected people at six places. BDO Rabindra Kumar Pradhan and tehsildar Amiya Kumar Rout took stock of the situation which has remained grim in 16 villages. Locals said vegetable cultivation was completely damaged in these areas. The affected farmers have demanded immediate assessment of the damage and provision of compensation.
