Bhadrak/Balasore: Following heavy rains due to cyclonic storm Daye, river Baitarani flowed above the danger mark at Akhuapada under Bhandaripokhari block in Bhadrak district Saturday.
The water level crossed the danger mark of 17.83 metres at 12.45 am. Floodwaters have entered various areas after finding an outlet at Kantighai escape.
Similarly, several areas under Basta block in Balasore district were flooded after river Jalaka overflowed. Communication to some areas was disrupted after Gandhi Chhak-Baliapal road was under water.
At Mathani, Jalaka flowed at 6.51 metres against the danger mark at 5.5 metres. Thousands of hectares of farmland were inundated at Paikapada, Jantikapal, Dudhahansa, Jaypur, Sunderhanta, Nalbahar, Gothagadia, Dandika, Palasia, Gahirasimulia, Kundei, Kadalihanda, Basukubarai, Dhobakubarai and Jamunapada.
Hectares of farmland and some villages in Kharasahapur panchayat were waterlogged. Thousands of people in 15 villages of four panchayats under Nilagiri block in Balasore were marooned while some areas remained cut off from the rest of the world as several roads were under water.
A swollen river Sona precipitated a flood situation in seven panchayats of Ajodhya, Begunia, Machhua, Radhakishorepur, Kansa, Narasingapur and Tentulia.
Karanjia, Julapala, Badia, Kathapala, Junakoili, Khasapadia, Dumangndira, Kusanpur, Dubati, Patharbada and Nishangpur were also marooned. After water was released through two gates of Kal dam, water level in Sona has risen.
Flood-hit people in Jalda, Athanaga, Khuapal, Khaladi, Naharpada, Kaisari, Tinishulia, Jualia, Kochiladiha, Bairatpur, Kathapal are living in a miserable condition.
Due to floods in river Budhabalanga, people in over 100 villages in seven panchayats in Balasore district were marooned. Schools and colleges in these areas were closed while some thatched houses have collapsed. Villagers have taken shelter in schools while relief has not been provided to them, it was learnt. The administration deployed ODRAF, NDRAF teams and fire brigade and rescued flooded-hit people in some villages with help of power boats and country boats. Due to floods from Gangahar, Sona and Jalka rivers, many villages were inundated.
District emergency officer Kamalakant Panda said waters from Budhabalanga has caused flooded in Chunabhati, Talasahi, Darajipokhari, Majhisahi, Uparasahi, Olandasahi and Balighat pump house. Some parts of Remuna, Nilagiri and Bahanaga blocks were also flooded.
PNN
