Bhandaripokhari: Continuous heavy rainfall for the past four days has pushed water levels of the Baitarani and Subarnarekha rivers to danger marks, prompting flood alerts in several districts.
In Bhandaripokhari block, Baitarani at Akhuapada crossed the danger level of 18.33 metres Saturday afternoon and reached 18.43 metres by 6 pm, marking the third wave of flood this season.
The river is rising at a rate of 5mm per hour.
Rainfall in the past 24 hours has been significant, with Champua recording 63.66 mm, Swampatana 19.8 mm, Anandapur 68.2 mm, and Akhuapada 38.12 mm.
Authorities estimate that floodwaters could reach a maximum of 18.90 metres.
Meanwhile, the Subarnarekha River has risen at Rajghat in Jaleswar block due to water released from the Galudihi barrage in Jharkhand.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the upper reaches of Jharkhand, prompting the Water Resources department to maintain vigilant monitoring.
Currently, 13 gates of the Galudihi dam are releasing water at a rate of 5,400 cubic metres per second into the Subarnarekha river.
Recent rainfall reports from Jharkhand indicate 122.48 mm at Jamshedpur, 44.66 mm at Fekghat, 81.91 mm at Ghatsila, and 51.48 mm at Jamsula, according to the Central Water Commission.
At Rajghatgej, the Subarnarekha river stands at 9.45 metres against the danger mark of 10.36 metres. Water levels are rising at 20 mm per hour, reaching 7.56 metres above normal flow.
Authorities, including Assistant Executive Engineers Priyabrata Singh, Basant Kumar Behera, Pramath Kumar Dey, Daktara Singh, and Junior Engineer Chittaranjan Sial, are maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of river embankments.
Flood alerts have been issued for Bhograi, Baliapal, Jaleswar, and Basta blocks.
PNN
