Balasore/ Basta: Following heavy rains for the last two days, river Jalaka under Basta block in Balasore flowed above danger mark, while the water level in Subarnarekha was on the rise, triggering flood panic among people living in the riparian pockets Tuesday.
At Mathani, the danger mark is at 5.50 metre, while Jalaka flowed at 5.56 metre Monday evening. Since then, the water level in the river has been rising and touched 6.15 metre at 9 A.M. Tuesday.
However, the water receded later, the department said, adding that the water level has been stable at 6.10 metre.
As of now, there have been no reports of damage in the area. Nevertheless, with heavy rain continuing, major flood affecting the area cannot be ruled out.
Flood threat also loomed large in the Subarnarekha basin as water level in the river kept rising. At Rajghat, the river flowed at 9.45 metre against the danger mark at 10.36 metre.
Tuesday morning, the water level touched 9.54 metre and then mounted to 10.17 metre in the evening.
The Met department predicted that if the flood situation crops up, Basta, Bhograi, Baliapal and Jaleswar blocks will face deluge. Farmlands as well as villages will be affected by flood.
The administration has been keeping a close watch on the flood situation.
Meanwhile, reports said due to heavy rain in the upper reaches, five gates of Galudih barrage at Jamshedpur were opened, releasing 1.7 lakh cusec of water per second Monday. Under its impact, the water level in Jalaka and Subarnarekha is rising and can cross the danger mark anytime.
However, Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout said that the water level in Subarnarekha is receding.
People in Bhograi have been living in fears of flood with heavy rains still lashing most parts of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
The Special Relief Commissioner has sounded flood alerts to the Collectors and all the BDOs of the flood-prone blocks.
PNN
