Rupsa/Basta: Following incessant rain that lashed Balasore district for the last few days, surging rainwater in Jalaka river continues to get higher above the danger level, a source informed Thursday.
Rainwater was flowing at a level of 5.88 metre at around 3.00pm Wednesday near Mathani area under Basta block in the district. It was seen flowing at 5.89 metre at 6.00pm. The surging water level of Jalaka river was recorded at 5.70 metre earlier in the morning.
However, the earmarked danger level stands at 5.50 metre, Balasore Irrigation department junior engineer Ashok Kumar Das stated.
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With incessant rains in upper catchment areas, the surging rainwater has given rise to flood like situation in Balasore district. People residing in the riparian areas of Jalaka river are still in panicky.
Villages like Mathani, Bahardha, Dudhahansa, Sadanandapur, Baruna Gadia, Basichakuri, Darada, Gadapada, Rautapada under Basta block including Srirampur and Rasulpur under Sadar block will submerge in flood water while hundred acres of farmland will become inundated.
Likewise, there is a high possibility of loss of lives and properties in the riparian villages namely Melaka, Pegarapada, Laxmanapada, Sanakhudi, Siba Gadia, Talatapanda, Badakhudi and Dhalasahi as embankments alongside the Jalaka river have become feeble.
It is pertinent to mention, another low pressure area has been forming over the Bay of Bengal. The regional centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activities are likely in several parts of Odisha in the coming days.
PNN
