Rupsa/Bograi/Baripada: Incessant rainfall caused by low pressure has triggered the possibility of floods in vast parts of Balasore amid reports that the water level in three major rivers is on the rise.
The Jalaka river is now flowing above the danger mark near Mathani under Basta block, sources in the district emergency department said.
The water level in Jalaka reached 6.15 metre against the danger mark of 5.5 metre in Mathani by 11 am Sunday. The water level was at 4.90 metre by 3pm Saturday, but it rose to 5.5 metre by 9pm.
Sources said that if the rain continues for 24 hours in the upper reaches in Mayurbhanj, Jalaka will receive heavy flow of water and would cause floods in the area.
River Subarnarekha is flowing at 5.66 metre by 11 am at Rajghat while the danger mark is 10.36 metre. Besides, river Budhabalanga is flowing at 3.12 metre against the danger mark lavel of 8.13 metre.
Sources added that as it has been raining continuously in the upper region and water levels of rivers are being increased.
The district had recorded a rainfall of 418.3 mm Sunday. Jaleswar logged 97 mm rainfall; Basta 50 mm, Balasore 25mm and Baliapal 24 mm, sources added.
Sub-collector Bhabataran Sahu said that the administration is ready to deal with the flood situation. All tehsildars and BDOs were alerted about possible floods, he added.
“The NDRF and ODRAF team are kept ready while control rooms were made operational at all tehsil offices,” said the tehsildar.
Reports from Bhograi said, even as incessant rain continues to lash various parts, the Bay of Bengal has been rough on new moon. Waves are lashing on the coat, leaving people panicked on the coast of Bhograi, Udaypur and Chandipur.
About 13 villages in five panchayats under Bhograi block have been facing the fury of tides. Tidal waves have reportedly damaged crops in the area.
Reports from Baripada said various rivers and creeks in Mayurbhanj district have been swelling due to incessant rains while people living in low-lying areas apprehended possible floods, though no river is flowing above the danger mark.
Though water level is on the rise in creeks there has been no flood situation as yet, said district emergency officer and deputy collector Dayasindhu Parida.
He added that the district administration is ready to meet flood situation amid reports that the water level in Budhabalanga has been rising. PNN
