Jajpur/Bhadrak: Incessant rainfall in the last few days has resulted in floods in parts of Jajpur and Bhadrak districts.
In Jajpur, floodwaters of Baitarani and Kharasrota affected over 83,000 residents in 69 villages under four blocks and submerged about 4,000 hectares of farmland, according to a report Saturday.
Heavy rains September 1, 2, 5 and 6 had sent water levels in most of the rivers, including Baitarani and Kharasrota, rising in the district. Residents in Dasarathpur, Jajpur and Korei found themselves trapped in floodwaters after Baitarani crossed the banks and inundated their villages.
Similarly, the floodwater of Kharasrota has triggered panic in Binjharpur block as over 20,000 residents in 20 villages were affected with 10,000 hectares of farmland getting submerged in the area. The district has received 436.73 mm of rainfall this month with Binjharpur block recording the highest amount of 609 mm.
According to government reports, 83, 474 people in 69 villages under 37 panchayats have been affected and 4009 hectares of farmland submerged in the floodwater.
Reports from the district emergency cell said that 55 houses have been partially damaged, 3860 people rescued and rehabilitated in 30 relief centres and 40 mt of cattle feed provided for the livestock in the affected blocks.
Floods have hit over 78,690 people in 43 villages of 16 panchayats of Dasarathpur block and the district administration has opened three relief centres and providing cooked food to 700 people.
However, the district administration’s neglect in opening a relief centre in flood-affected Korei block has sparked resentment among the residents as over 900 people in 26 villages of 11 panchayts have been affected.
The district administration has opened 26 relief centres in Binjharpur block where 3,040 people in 10 panchayats have been affected by flood. A lone relief centre has been opened in Ward No 1 of Jajpur civic body limits where 120 people have been affected.
The Baitarani River was found flowing at 18.33 mtr above the danger mark of 17.83 mtr at Akhuapada. However, reports said that floodwater is slowly receding at Akhuapada that is likely to give some respite to the residents
Similarly, the river was found flowing at 11.36 mtr above the danger mark of 9.52 mtr at Dasarathpur and at 13.62 mtr above the danger mark of 13.34 at Ballavighat. In Binjharpur, the river was found flowing at 10.30 mtr above the danger mark of 9.74 mtr.
PNN